Ben says: What a pleasant surprise. I went into this film not looking forward to it at all. It's a girlie film. It's got Tom Cruise and it's about sport. Talk about a turn off, there aren't even any aliens in it and not a time machine in sight (just kidding alright?).

However, what it does have is an intelligent story that is actually a surprise all through the movie - an unusual occurence in this day and age when a viewer of average intelligence can tell exactly what's going to happen to the protagonist half an hour before it inevitably does. Even Tom Cruise is good. He does do his smug shit act, but then it's required by the film. Without doubt though, the best acting in the film comes from two relatively unknown actors, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Renée Zellweger. Cuba has been seen in a variety of stuff before, but Renée's biggest claim to fame is a screamer role in Texas Chainsaw Massacre 4. Cuba is absolutely superb as the homeboy athlete with attitude and some of the best laughs in the film come from his confrontational relationship with Cruise's character while Ms. Zellweger makes a very good love interest who seems, at first, to be a bit wet but is definitely not one dimensional.

Gaaawd, I hate to say it, but this is one Tom Cruise movie I really enjoyed!

It might interest you to know that Cuba Gooding Jr. won an academy award for his role at the Oscars on Monday night!

Ben gives it:

last updated: 24th March 1997