Kermode Uncut: My Top Five Tom Cruise Performances

www.bbc.co.uk/markkermode
Tom Cruise is back on the screen in Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation. Here is my pick of his best work as an actor.

[@FuwadAbrar]

His performance in Michael Mann's Collateral is beyond brilliant. He plays the villain and he's incredibly well developed and makes us care for him.

[@TheSamuraiGoomba]

Collateral. His finest performance to date, in my opinion.

[@colourlessbluethings]

***** I totally agree.

[@texprogenitor]

***** I agree with this so much. Collateral is Tom Cruise at his very best!

[@bennoclassico]

***** I agree! Was my #1 choice as well :D

[@scootertart]

***** Yes he's exceptional in that and one of my favourite Michael Mann films as well

[@bennoclassico]

Yes, it's probably my third or fourth favourite Michael Mann film - after Heat and The Insider, but tied with Manhunter (and Thief in fifth place). So in other words, one of his best.

[@carlosbarton763]

Mark picked the right performance for the No. 1 spot, but I'd also include Collateral and Tropic Thunder.

[@livinginvancouverbc2247]

My brother's favorite movie was "Legend". He watched it over and over before he passed away Aug 8, 1988 of AIDS. Eric said the magical quality of the movie made him feel good. I miss him so much.

[@TimeandMonotony]

Interview with the Vampire. Seemed like bizarre casting, but he NAILED it.

[@derekrushe]

To the point that Anne Rice herself (who had hated his casting) took out a full page ad in the New York Times to apologise to Cruise. To her now, he is Le'stat.

[@rumination2399]

Yeah. I would definitely had included that at 2 or 3.

[@musy345]

His scene in Magnolia where he confronts his dying father was incredible.

[@Venumus9]

A Few Good Men and Collateral need to be up here

[@reecetomm]

I feel like his performance in Edge of Tomorrow has been very overlooked here. The transition that character has throughout the movie is fantastic and Tom Cruise truly nailed that performance. This is coming from me and I truly dislike 90% of the Tom Cruise films I've seen, but I can't deny Edge of Tomorrow is an amazing movie and I have to give Tom Cruise credit for being a big part of it.

[@digitaljanus]

basquat76 But he's not just any coward. He's a smarmy, charming bastard coward. We *know* he can do that. It's great watching him transition from Rain Man/Jerry McGuire Tom Cruise to Born on the Fourth of July/Mission Impossible Tom Cruise in that film.

[@oneminutetomidknight]

Reece Wilkins Edge of Tomorrow was better than I expected, but I spent most of the film wishing I was watching Source Code instead

[@oneminutetomidknight]

Reece Wilkins Edge of Tomorrow was better than I expected, but I spent most of the film wishing I was watching Source Code instead

[@jupiterkansas]

basquat76 It might have worked if the movie actually forced him to confront his cowardice at the end when his circumstances changed - but despite a great first hour or so, the ending was dull as dirt because they didn't take the character full circle. Everyone seems to love it though.

[@jupiterkansas]

basquat76 Not the dumbest ending, but certainly dull, obvious, and predictable - not to mention lacking all the great humor of the first half.

[@LAWLoROFL]

Surprised there wasn't a mention of Collateral.

[@Jolencla]

Sorry Mark, Eyes Wide Shut is nothing short of a masterpiece, one of Kubrick's top 5 for me

[@ExitTheCinema]

Bit of a controversial statement but Vanilla Sky is one of my favourite films of all time, and i love Cruise as David Aames. He just gets everything right for me, the romance Sofia, the relationships conveyed between both David and McCabe and David and Brian and overall the insanity towards the later half of the film and his depiction of the decreasing mental state of a deformed man once obsessed with appearance and perspectives of him. Just the downfall of his character is captured so well but i am slightly bias due to my somewhat subconscious connection with the film itself, something that i know isn't widely shared.

[@jamgrieve]

Wow.... That's harsh. I thought Eyes Wide Shut was great and one of Kubrick's best. It's also one of my favourite performances from Tom Cruise.

[@jacobharris4838]

Me too. I expected him to put it at number one or two on this list then I heard that. Even if he doesn't like it, it's still a better film than Fear and Desire and Killer's Kiss

[@KonradUberstorff]

Tom Cruise is a MOVIE STAR. I couldn't care less about his beliefs or his private life. Every time I see him up on the screen it makes me happy. There is something about him that´s truly mesmerizing

[@terrysilvester4720]

i love Eyes Wide Shut. Maybe my favourite Kubrick film.

[@raieven]

+1

[@LicoriceLain]

Terry Silvester I would say Lolita is his worst. Talk about a film that shouldn't exist.

[@glazeron33]

LicoriceLain Yeah! Or he should make it 10-20 years later with less censorship.

[@jupiterkansas]

LicoriceLain Kubrick doesn't really have a worst film. Just good films and amazing films.

[@MattCipolla]

Terry Silvester Right! It's so underrated. That movie was in the back of my head for at least a year after first seeing it. I couldn't stop analyzing it.

[@Nicklpud]

I love his latest Sci-fi phase. Oblivion and Edge of tomorrow were really great films. His commitment to the roles are amazing, Edge of tomorrow for example, he was setting the fitness standards for other actors half his age. Can't deny his passion for film even after such a long career.

[@mrsrockonme]

He is absolutely extraordinary in Interview with the Vampire! Way better than Risky Business. He is by far the most memorable part of that movie.

[@HangTheDJ16]

Mark! Eyes Wide Shut is a misunderstood masterpiece.

[@j.w.5732]

One of my favourites has to be 'Vanilla Sky'. Hated it when I saw it in the cinema, love it now and Tom cruise performance is great!

[@jp3666]

I was binge-watching Mission Impossible series on a long flight and realised it has to be the greatest franchise ever, in the sense that for 20 years it never failed to deliver what the audience wants every single time, thanks largely to Cruises's dedication towards his job. I doubt there will ever be another Tom Cruise.

[@KeatonCar89]

last samurai, a few good men, the firm, interview with the vampire, tropic thunder

[@seank135]

Won't defend Far and Away but I will Eyes Wide Shut. One of my favourite movies. Also I believe Minority Report is possibly Spielbergs best film and Cruise gives a compelling performance as a man who has nothing but fights for his understanding and meaning of his life.

[@MicahYongo]

Have to say I thought Cruise was utterly magnetic in Collateral. He portrays that character in such a way that by the time you see the wolf-interlude scene, well, the parallels between the animal and his character require no explanation. Great filmmaking, and a great performance from Cruise.

[@thomHD]

I actually thought he was great in Interview With the Vampire

[@superkjell]

Tom Cruise is probably the greatest movie star of the last 20-30 years. There are several movies not on Kermode's list that I really enjoy. His performances in Collateral, Top Gun, The Color of Money, The Firm and The Last Samurai all deserve a mention.

[@superkjell]

firekind1980 Funnily enough, I just suggested five movies...

[@boredagain85]

superkjell dont forget minority report and the outsiders

[@AgeofVergo]

+superkjell Agree that Cruise is the greatest actor of his generation, or at least he has the most on screen charisma, which for me does mean he is the best actor. The fact he's fallen out of favour with pop media and he's not arthouse enough for some critics notwithstanding.

[@jamin69]

Tom is one of my favourite actors. The comments are full of his best work but I also love his portrail of the vampire Lestat in Interview with the Vampire.

[@Belfastboi]

Cocktail and Top Gun. Loved those movies still do. He’s given so much to the movie industry it’s testament to how much he loves it as he never gets recognized as you say. Great to see you celebrating him here Mark 🙏🏼

[@christopherelfers2078]

Vanilla Sky is one of the most underrated, under appreciated films ever made. It’s one of the best remakes. Tom Cruise at his finest. Should have been on this list.

[@mickeygoldmill3965]

No way

[@daviddee9336]

Collateral and interview with vampire were excellent performances. His role in tropic thunder was amazing too given it was unlike anything he had done and showed his wider range.

[@matthewroy4790]

I agree Interview belongs near the top of any list. I was among those Anne Rice fans who was outraged at his casting. But wow! He owned and inhabited LeStat. Pure brilliance.

[@MattCipolla]

I'd say that Cruise's best performance is hands down in Eyes Wide Shut, which is also easily Cruise's favorite best film. Kermode, you broke my heart with that comment about Eyes Wide Shut being Kubrick's worst film. I mean, have you seen Fear and Desire?

[@sgm123]

Dear god, the sound mix, please level it, the MI theme is way too loud

[@raieven]

It's awful, agreed.

[@duanying3071]

I'm so happy to see the resonance of Tom Cruise's mesmerizing performance in Collateral. It is one of my fav movies and his silver haired hitman is hugely underrated.

[@darrenfairclough7499]

His articulated style of acting and selfless devotion to his co- workers, audiences and art for three decades makes him a Legend (pun intended) of cinema. Hope he recieves the Academy award for best actor at least once in his career. Looking forward to The Mummy....He'll nail it.

[@FTA4evr]

He does that transformation thing in both War of the Worlds and Edge of Tomorrow. I'm impressed at how believable he is. That's called good acting.

[@JamesMiddleditchUK]

Vanilla Sky and A Few Good Men are up there for me

[@Gynra]

I'm glad to see Magnolia as Number 1: it was an extraordinary performance. How he didn't get an Oscar for that, I do not know.

[@quidestveritas659]

Collateral. There's just something unnerving about him that has meant I've never been able to empathize with him as a hero.

[@CS-mo7xp]

Quid Est Veritas I know what you mean

[@jupiterkansas]

Quid Est Veritas His characters are almost always smug, smarmy, and full of themselves. Some directors make that work but most seem to think those are positive qualities. Fortunately, he also seems very intelligent and generally chooses good material (or good directors) but he's the opposite of an everyman.

[@bennoclassico]

Quid Est Veritas Yeah he's actually quite frightening in that film, I genuinely thought he was a great pick as an antagonist that isn't just a 2-dimensional villain

[@SNIFFMYBADGER]

He was brilliant in that role

[@balloonhead61]

magnolia, spot on

[@JeffW83]

I can’t tell you how glad I am you put magnolia at number one

[@TheRoyalFlush-ym3gv]

Interview with the Vampire is easily up there.

[@CrazyChunkles]

I'm so pleased he put Magnolia as #1, it's one of my all time favourites and Cruise is utterly brilliant in it

[@Orgotheonemancult]

"Eyes Wide Shut is easily Kubrick's worst movie." Oh, Kermode.... don't do this to me...

[@abbyhuntley3171]

Interview With The Vampire is one of my favourites simply because the outrageous campness of the performance is so surprisingly non-Tom Cruise and his chemistry with Brad Pitt is bizarrely compelling

[@Qwazin]

His performance in Eyes Wide Shut is awesome.

[@weixiong1.0]

I think by far the best performance of Tom Cruise is his small role in Tropic Thunder. What a funny scene he did and you would never know that it was him, Tom Cruise who acted here.

[@robsawalker]

Frank Mackie, totally agree! What a great role!

[@fanboydee]

Tom Cruise has never given a bad performance in his entire career.

[@cognissonance1162]

his performance on Oprah's couch is my favourite

[@NoPunIncluded]

I am one of the few people who will defend Far and Away. Nothing quite like a film about a man risking his life for the welfare of his family's future. Saying that, the only time that I saw Far and Away was when I was 11, so what do I know really?

[@simonsaysrewind]

Tom Cruise on lip sync battle was funny 👍 he's a good to great actor. I have respect for his excellent time he has for his fans.

[@Aiden.Stinkhorn]

For me, Tom Cruise equates to good movie, good production values and always entertaining. He's a bit of an everyman and that I can identify with. Long may he continue.

[@moeezS]

"I'm quietly judging you."

[@rigsby1454]

There’s been loads of great Cruise films. He’s the absolute ultimate modern movie star

[@marblerye123]

Vanilla Sky anyone? It's all over the place but I thought he was pretty good in it. Minority Report too.

[@dashrirprock]

One of the things I respect about Cruise is the effort he puts into his roles. Anne Rice praised him for reading her books and really understanding Lestat. Apart from that he makes an effort to be a convincing pool player or sword swinger or gun slinger or dare-devil. He nails the physicality of the role, apart from being charismatic when he needs to be charismatic or intense when he needs to be intense.

[@tiearts]

Collateral is his best performance IMO. He gets to play a villainous, sociopath hit-man bucking the action hero image and he nails it. The film is a masterpiece

[@sammacdaibheid]

Never really cared for Tom Cruise but he's exceptional in Magnolia, which is a tremendous film regardless of his eye catching performance. The bit with the confrontation is profoundly moving. The film also introduced me to Aimee Mann!

[@WWEEvolution1991]

Collateral is a really underrated film and his performance is great. Really good as the villain, cold, calculating and unsettling.

[@QueenJneeuQ]

Eyes Wide Shut his worst movie? Have you seen Fear and Desire?

[@RockBottomRiser21]

firekind1980 1:14

[@Vebinz]

Queen jneeuQ To be fair, these early films still have their charm.

[@RockBottomRiser21]

firekind1980 No it isn't a Tom Cruise convo, Fear and Desire is Kubrick's feature debut.

[@RockBottomRiser21]

firekind1980 Why do you care? Are you really saying that we're not allowed to respond to comments Kermode made in the very video? What an arbitrarily restrive way of dictating conversation.

[@RockBottomRiser21]

firekind1980 Nowhere does it even remotely say that the discussion around the video must be restricted to Tom Cruise movies.

[@JackOsborneFilm]

Tom Cruise is just one of those great talents.

[@andy140s2]

Collateral. Also i knew Magnolia would be 1.

[@matthewkoz]

No room for Vanilla Sky?

[@GoldenGyroBalls]

Collateral, Collateral, Collateral, Collateral and Tropic Thunder. Those are my favorite Tom Cruise performances. Also thank you Mark for reminding me to watch Magnolia sometime.

[@cosplayandfandoms6463]

Ive always thought Interview With The Vampire was one of his best. At one point there was talk of a sequel or a movie just about LeStat the vampire. Born on the Fouth of July will always be my favourite.

[@rjld18]

Interview With The Vampire is amazing

[@mikeyflaherty6628]

I thought Tropic Thunder was pants but Tom Cruise was the standout, don't know how Downey Jr got a Oscar nom for that role even tho Tom Cruise was better. Also loved Collateral terrific film, but I agree Magnolia was his best performance.

[@ConnorMcCartney95]

Tom Cruise was hardly in it though

[@bennoclassico]

Mikey F Agreed on all counts, but prefer Collateral to Magnolia (but the latter was my #2 pick)

[@ConnorMcCartney95]

Matt Greer The second shortest oscar winner is Anthony Hopkins in the silence of the lambs with 24 minutes.I doubt Tom Cruise was even in the movie for 5 minutes.

[@ConnorMcCartney95]

Matt Greer Says 24 minutes and 52 seconds on imdb.

[@bremendiego1]

Tropic Thunder and Edge of Tomorrow show just how good his comedic acting ability is.

[@connormcleod9595]

superb actor

[@SW-fn7cl]

Magnolia yes definitely good call Mark. Phenomenal performance!

[@neilba1]

Collateral and War of the Worlds. Excellent in both.

[@davidking4838]

I agree about Magnolia. I don't know why but I hated it on when I saw it in the theatre but truly appreciated it when I saw it again, about 20 years later.

[@rbdriftin]

No Collateral? Easily my favourite

[@ResevoirGod]

Tropic Thunder should have been No.1 Was also really good in Collateral I thought

[@tehpickle1250]

He was great in Interview with the Vampire. Campy and strangely hammy, but utterly captivating.

[@jacktriesto]

So glad you put Magnolia first, and amazed you found a safe-for-work clip

[@TheFireflyGuy]

I would have thought Interview With A Vampire would have been up there. Originally the author hated the idea of him playing Lestat...but once she saw what he could do she could think of no one better. His performance was chilling, funny and most of all believable.

[@dt9127]

Born on the Fourth of July ! and its not even close

[@BlaizeV]

I love him in A Few Good Men, easily my favourite though Jerry Maguire is close

[@fraukeschmidt8364]

Born on the Fourth of July is on my list of films I've got to see now. I had never been interested before.

[@mrmoralman1]

Frauke Schmidt just remember this quote from the movie "BIG FAT ERECT PENIS!!"

[@Thagros]

Oi! Have you watched it yet?? (ō.ō)

[@CiprianHanga]

for christ's sake, adjust the volume on that jingle, please

[@tbone35453]

Minority Report and Tom Cruise's performance in it are highly underrated.

[@jordongrubic1348]

His performance was absolutely stunning as Lestat in "Interview with the Vampire"

[@originalgangster8820]

eyes wide shut worst kubrick film no way! Brilliant film with a brilliant Tom Cruise performance.

[@f1delio]

Eyes wide shut is my favourite Kubrick movie!

[@simoncuk]

I remember Barry Norman telling Cruise he thought that HE should have won an Oscar for Rain Man...

[@alhazed]

Interview with a Vampire.

[@WhatsInTheFog]

I have to admit I haven't seen a lot of Tom Cruise films...but his best performance in my opinion is his turn in 'Interview with the Vampire'. He's absolutely electrifying in that role,if anyone hasn't seen it, I suggest you check it out.

[@MetallicA7X92]

I've always liked Tom Cruise, never bothered me that he believes that crazy Scientology stuff.. Always focused on the movies he starred in, most of whom is good to great movies, but obviously there are some stinkers in there also :P When I was 10, Minority Report came out and I rewatched that movie many times as you do when you're a kid.. still I really like that movie and it holds up. Not his best performance, but a special movie for me.

[@dunkirknolan7018]

1. Magnolia 2. Collateral 3. Rain Man 4. Eyes Wide Shut 5. Mission Impossible Series

[@zetetick395]

Noice List Mark!

[@LDBCFC]

I personally loved him in vanilla sky! I thought it was a great performance

[@dravenuk]

Interview with the Vampire and Tropic Thunder. Cruise is hypnotic, predatory and beautifully repellant as Lestat. And Les Grossman is simply a thing of hilarious genius! But my personal fave would be Jerry Maguire. Simply brilliant!

[@Flypidge]

Last samurai is his best film in my opinion. Collateral a close second 😊

[@KaufmansCurse]

1) Magnolia 2) Eyes Wide Shut 3) Interview With a Vampire 4) Rainman 5) Born on the fourth of July

[@rhymeocerous]

Not a Cruise fan in general but thought his performance in Magnolia was astoundingly good.

[@keitsi87]

1. Magnolia 2. Tropic Thunder 3. Born on the 4th of July 4. Collateral 5. Jerry Maguire

[@Tomanista]

He should do more comedies, he actually has great timing and his persona leaves him a lot of playroom because we all expect him to be "serious"

[@Anthony0Ellis]

I always thought his 'Lestat' in Interview with a vampire was overlooked - charming and chilling in equal measure

[@StewartyMac]

Collateral and Vanilla Sky were films where Cruise knocked it out the park.

[@neilhunter4811]

The ego seems out of control but he knows how to make a great film and utterly, utterly, utterly should have won an oscar. Doubtful now, as his films are purely him, but what an actor - when he wants to be.