Angela Mollard: Tom Cruise proves he’s still got it after all these years

It’s only a week out from his 60th birthday but Tom Cruise is still the box office drawcard the world loves even if he’s never won an Academy Award.

The one and only time I met Tom Cruise I rather liked him. He and then wife Nicole Kidman were attending Wimbledon, where I was reporting, when Nicole needed to use the bathroom. There were two routes to the VIP facilities, one of them through the press room, and the security guard – who we’d buttered up for any such eventualities – directed the couple into our lair.

While his wife went to the loo Cruise hung out with us, seemingly unperturbed at being left to linger with some of Fleet Street’s not-so-finest.

When one of my colleagues cheekily asked if Cruise would mind having a phone chat with his mum, the actor happily obliged. For 10 minutes Cruise nattered to the poor woman who eventually realised — after telling him in slightly ruder terms that he was “pulling her leg” — that she was, indeed, speaking to the Hollywood star.

Tom Cruise is still the biggest star in the world at the age of 60. Picture: Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images

When Nicole returned and they headed off to watch the final we all agreed he was a good sort, even if his tan desert boots needed some wearing in.

That was 1995. Exactly 27 years later and a week out from his 60th birthday, Cruise still doesn’t do “worn in”. In fact, anyone who has seen Top Gun: Maverick will note that he’s astonishingly well-preserved, particularly in scenes which seem scripted to showcase his buffness.

But it’s not his age-defying body or even his chiselled jaw making Cruise both as current and timeless as his Ray-Ban Aviators. Rather, it’s his willingness to evolve and persevere. Top Gun is a sensational movie but its success was always going to be dependent on us actually buying into Tom Cruise the man. That we have speaks volumes about how the greatest movie star of a generation has navigated his way to his seventh decade.

The hagiographies will abound as he hits senior status but it’s not boyish charisma or guaranteed bankability or even the sheer hard work for which he is renowned which makes a superannuated Cruise so watchable.

Rather, he’s an old-fashioned storyteller showcasing all the conflict, action and tension that involves. And far from enduring in spite of those elements in his personal life, Cruise thrives because of them.

Tom Cruise as Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in Top Gun: Maverick.

It’s his moments of arrogance, his three failed marriages, his couch jumping, his attachment to Scientology and his shaming of Brooke Shields for taking antidepressants which have, bizarrely, cemented him as a man qualified to act.

It’s impossible to convey what it means to be human, if you haven’t actually failed, succeeded and learned yourself. It’s just a shame he or his former wives won’t speak about it. Interviewing Katie Holmes I was strictly forbidden from mentioning his name.

In an age when popular culture is superseded, cancelled or populated with superheroes, a middle-aged white guy peddling his craft is becoming a rarity. Indeed, there’s a line in Top Gun: Maverick where Ed Harris, playing Maverick’s boss, sneers at the fighter pilot for refusing to retire, take a managerial role or die.

“The end is inevitable,” he says. “Your kind is headed to extinction.” Cruise, grinning, retorts: “Maybe so, sir. But not today.”

Like Maverick, Cruise refuses to gives up what he does and loves best – acting. At his age Robert Redford had long since won the Oscar for directing Ordinary People and Clint Eastwood was excelling likewise with Unforgiven.

Tom Cruise in the original Top Gun movie. Picture: Paramount Pictures/Archive Photos/Getty Images

Instead, Cruise steadfastly stays in his lane, eschewing the superhero roles populated by other Toms (Holland, Hiddleston, Hardy) and valiantly promoting the action hero even if it’s meant he’s never won the accolades bestowed on his other namesake, Mr Hanks.

While the latter has been nominated five times for a Best Actor Oscar, winning twice with Philadelphia and Forrest Gump, Cruise has been nominated twice yet hasn’t won.

There can be no doubt he’d love the top gong but as he racks up four decades as an actor it’s clear there’s something else motivating him. Ambition, obviously; excellence, certainly. But as someone who has not yet been lured on to streaming services we can only assume he loves being a cinematic hero.

Cruise wants to stay in the cockpit or hang off a wall or leap between two buildings because that’s his brand. But alongside the spectacle and one-liners and emotional backstory we have long loved him for, he has also matured.

Cruise is yet to win an Academy Award. Picture: Anthony Wallace / AFP

In the last 20 years he has only once had a leading lady less than 10 years younger than him. With the Top Gun reboot he knew female audiences wouldn’t tolerate such nonsense. Jennifer Connelly, at 51, was the ideal choice.

He’s also evolved into a team player given to mentoring his co-stars. Glen Powell, who was disappointed not to secure the role of Rooster – which went to Miles Teller – has told how Cruise convinced him to play the daredevil Hangman. “Don’t pick the best parts,” Cruise told him, “pick the best movies and make the parts the best you can.”

If he really is the last true American movie star – as some are claiming – then I have just one more ask of Cruise as he hits 60.

If he makes another Top Gun, could he please – for safety’s sake – wear a motorcycle helmet.

READERS

Thanks to all of you who emailed me about last week’s column on my game of pool. Your responses were thoughtful, enlightening and largely respectful. I’m endeavouring to reply to you all.

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