Top 10 Tom Cruise Roles

To celebrate this weeks release of Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol I thought perhaps for this Top 10 we’d have a look at the career of Tom Cruise. What do I consider his Best Roles? Read on ….

Honourable mentions:

Les Grossman – Tropic Thunder (2008)

One of the most hilarious cameo roles of the last 10 years, he was unrecognisable and best of all extremely entertaining.

Ethan Hunt – Mission Impossible franchise (1996-present)

A fun role for Cruise, it fits him like a glove and it is a blast to watch.

Top 10:

10.) Maverick – Top Gun (1986)

One of the biggest hits of the 80’s and a film that helped solidify his star, Top Gun still gets talked about today. Maverick was a great character and it was a really solid turn from Cruise.

9.) Joel Goodsen – Risky Business (1983)

Before Top Gun, Cruise really got noticed with this little number. The teen without the parents around was a dream come true, and his little dance number is perhaps one of the most parodied scenes.

8.) Chief John Anderton – Minority Report (2002)

A surprising turn from Cruise, this Spielberg directed sci-fi epic ended up being a perfect fit. The role was memorable and he really hit the right spot.

7.) Lt. Daniel Kaffee – A Few Good Men (1992)

Sure Jack Nicholson was the master here but Cruise really extended himself with the role. He held his own against legendary performers and the then up and comers.

6.) Dr. William Harford – Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

A very strange turn for Cruise, with his then wife Nicole Kidman in Stanley Kubrick’s last film. I was and still am surprised at just how superbly Cruise inhabits the role, and never lets up. A brave performance and certainly one of the most unique ones.

5.) Jerry Maguire – Jerry Maguire (1996)

I have to confess, for a few months upon its release Jerry Maguire was a favourite. Cruise was on fire, and his chemistry was spot on with all of his co-stars. There were times I actually forgot it was him and he disappeared into the role.

4.) Vincent Lauria – The Color Of Money (1986)

Cruise managed to hold his own against Paul Newman in this Martin Scorsese film. Newman might have won the Oscar and deservedly so, but there is no denying the men made an interesting duo. Another performance that he really disappeared into.

3.) Vincent – Collateral (2004)

This remains one of my favourite films and performances of the 00’s. Cruise played against type for the first time in a while, and it worked like a charm. Vincent was cold and calculating, something you never would have expected from the actor.

2.) Frank T.J. Mackey – Magnolia (1999)

I have no qualms in saying this but Cruise deserved the Oscar that year. This performance was one of the best, in year of fantastic ones. Another against type role and one of the rare times you don’t even realise it is Cruise. He delivered his lines with perfection, slimey perfection. It doesn’t matter how many times I watch this film, his performance still gets to me.

1.) Lestat de Lioncourt – Interview With The Vampire (1994)

Without question my favourite performance of his and the one I do consider his best. This is against type and the embodiment of Lestat is phenomenal. His chemistry with Brad Pitt is intense and the perfect type of powerplay. He pushed himself to the limits and it is no wonder he has stated this was the most challenging and gruelling things he has done. A film and a role worth re-visiting often.