Tom Cruise is an interesting actor to me.  He is rock solid when he is doing his action thing in films like EDGE OF TOMORROW or the MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE series - it doesn't get much better than he is in these films.  It is when he tries to break free from the "Action Hero" stereotype that his track record is spotty.  For every MAGNOLIA or TROPIC THUNDER there is an EYES WIDE SHUT or INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE.  So how did he do when he went off the beaten path once again in American MADE?

He did just fine.  Not GREAT, not POORLY...he did fine.

And that's the issue with this film - it is "fine", where it needed to be "crazy great" to succeed.

American MADE tells the "based on a true story" tale of Barry Seal a TWA pilot who becomes a pilot for the CIA, he gets in deeper and deeper and, eventually, is the one the leading players in what would become to be known as the Iran-Contra scandal during the Ronald Regan Presidency.

Cruise, on paper, looks like a good choice to play Seal.  He has the swagger and the "devil-may-care" attitude that is needed.  What Cruise is lacking, I feel, is to let go of the "governor" and just let it fly (kind of like Leonardo DiCaprio in WOLF OF WALL STREET).  Cruise just doesn't do it.  He doesn't let go.  He "pretends" to let go, but he never really does.  You can see him trying, yet pulling himself back and it is because of this hesitancy, that his performance, ultimately, doesn't work for me.

He is surrounded by a decent (but not strong) Supporting cast.  Seal's wife is portrayed by Sarah Wright - she is "fine", solid but unspectacular.  His CIA handler is portrayed by Domnhall Gleeson and he is "fine", solid but unspectacular.  Even the wild and crazy Central American drug lords are portrayed in a "fine", but unspectacular fashion.  They needed to let go of the governor like Alfred Molina did in BOOGIE NIGHTS, but they just don't go far enough.

With almost all of the performances going to - but never crossing over - a line, I will lay the blame on the Director, Doug Liman (so good as a Director in EDGE OF TOMORROW).  I don't know if he toned down the vision of this film to appeal to his Studio Bosses or if his sensibilities just didn't allow this film to "go there", but whatever it is, the film falls flat where it could have (should have) soared and was a missed opportunity.

This film is "entertaining enough" if you go to it, but I wouldn't tell you to rush right out and see this.

Letter Grade:  B-

6 (out of 10) stars and you can take that to the Bank (ofMarquis)