After the mammoth hit that has been Top Gun: Maverick, Tom Cruise has proved once again that age is just a number. And with over forty years in the business, the career of Cruise is full of box office smashes, flops and manic running.
In celebration of his latest renaissance, we’re going to take a look back at some of Cruise’s greatest flicks to see if they still hold up and most importantly: at what point does he stop ageing?
Cruise’s breakout film and arguably one of his best is 1983’s Risky Business. In the film, Cruise plays Joel, a teenager who is preparing for the next stage in his life as the end of high school approaches. But Joel sees the world a little differently to his parents, who are far more concerned about his grades than his well being. This, combined with a peaking sexual curiosity, creates a coming-of-age comedy that inspired a plethora of similar films and understandably launched Cruise into stardom.
Along for the ride is Rebecca De Mornay as the clever and voluptuous Lana, Curtis Armstrong as best friend Miles Dalby, Shera Danese as Vicky and Joe Pantolinano as the villainous Guido.
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The opening montage sets up Joel’s teenage suffocation, with his Father criticising his use of the home sound system and his Mother berating him over his grades.
But when Joel’s parents are away on their trip, Cruise finally gets to have fun. Cue one of the most iconic dance sequences of the 80’s:
But with the house unoccupied, Joel sees the opportunity to get away with something his parents would disown him for… Sex. In comes the provocative Lana who sees an opportunity in this smart kid with no parents, lots of money and perhaps a bit naive.
Inadvertently becoming Lana’s pimp, Joel’s life begins to spin out of control as his risky choices affect his grades, has him robbed and puts his Dad’s Porsche in a lake.
But in time, Joel begins to thrive in this new line of work. Though not doing his chances of getting into Princeton to study business any favours, he ironically learns far more than his peers, as he runs what becomes a very successful brothel.
“Freedom brings opportunity,” Miles tells Joel. “Opportunity makes your future.”
If you’re a fan of films like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off or The Breakfast Club, you are bound to enjoy Risky Business. Like those, Risky looks out the eyes of the youth and comedicly approaches these taboo subjects like sex, alcohol and smoking.
“You’ll never have a future!” yell the Police, as Joel gets caught having sex (in a dream).
By simply embracing these ideas, Joel learns about elements of adulthood that his parents or school would never teach him and that there is more than one way to succeed and achieve your goals. Instead of ruining Joel’s life, his choices get him into Princeton regardless.
Risky Business doesn’t suggest that always doing things by the book is wrong, nor does it suggest the opposite. However, it does suggest that learning to loosen up and push some boundaries isn’t going to kill you and could lead to something unexpected and rewarding.
Check out the trailer for ‘Risky Business’
“Are you ready for what could be instant fame for you?,” asked a reporter of Tom Cruise in an interview for the film. “I guess I’ll deal with that when it comes,” he laughs.
It is clear from the interviews as early on as Risky, Cruise was intensely focused and determined. His dedication was to the craft, film and he would not let anything deter him from success.
The fame Risky brought was immense and firmly places the film as a pivotal point in Cruise’s career. Shortly after the success of the film, Cruise went on to star in Ridley Scott’s adventure fantasy Legend and 1986’s legendary Top Gun.
If you are caught up in the Cruise-aissance, Risky Business is a must see as a Cruise fan and as an everyday movie goer.
