Cruising Back: Tom Cruise and ‘A Few Good Men’ 30 years on

It’s official. Following Top: Gun Maverick, Tom Cruise hysteria has taken the world by storm. Maverick was released on May 25th of this year and as of September 30th, it is still in my local cinema. Not even the seventh re-release of Avatar has gone that well.

With that in mind, we’re taking a look back at the highs, lows and intbetweens of Cruise’s forty year career. With every picture we’ll deeply analyse the state of his running, teeth and if he is ageing like Brad Pitt in Benjamin Button. 

Previously, we looked at Risky Business from 1983, but now we’re jumping forward to 1992’s A Few Good Men. 

When two soldiers are accused of murdering their peer Santiago, Navy lawyer Lt. Daniel Kaffee (Cruise) is thrown into the defenders chair for a case that the Navy wants as an open and shut. But as Kaffee unravels a deeper conspiracy around military culture and high ranking officials, he won’t stop until he uncovers the truth (Which he may not be able to handle). 

The film is directed by Rob Reiner of This is Spinal Tap (1984), When Harry Met Sally (1989) and Misery (1990) fame. The film is written by acclaimed screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, which he adapted from his own stage play of the same name from 1989. 

Alongside Cruise is Demi Moore as Lt. Cdr. JoAnne Galloway, Jack Nicholson as Col. Nathan R. Jessup, Kevin Pollak as Lt. Sam Weinberg, Kevin Bacon as Capt. Jack Ross and Kiefer Sutherland as 2nd. Lt. Jonathan Kendrick (Just in case you weren’t aware it was a military movie.)

The film sets up its controversial themes nearly immediately, as we witness the horrifying incident of the men attacking Santiago before it quickly cuts to contrast with the American flag and the sounds of trumpets and drums. Already, the film alludes to a darker truth happening behind closed doors. 

Jumping back in time, it seems Santiago was having issues with his team at Guantanamo and had been repetitively requesting a transfer. But with no result, he ignores the chain of command and asks higher up. In doing so, he disobeys the codes and values of the group. Jessup (Nicholson), prides code and honour more than anything else and as consequence, decides to ignore his request. 

Any childishness and naivety Kaffee has towards the case is gone after he meets Jessup, who makes it clear that if he plans to be anything but his best friend, he will be his enemy. Determined to prove that the guilt does not lie with the individuals who attacked Santiago, Kaffee, Galloway and Weinberg take the case to court. 

What’s fantastic about this role for Cruise is that not only does he get to express the charm and rebelliousness he thrived on in his earlier roles, but is able to prove his strong, determined and authoritative ability that he has become so known for. 

Nicholson on the other hand fully indulges the cruelty of Jessup and creates an ever threatening presence that manages to culminate on the simplest of lines. 

Moore, though a fun player for Tom Cruise to headbutt with for the first hour or so, does seem to act more as a tool for Kaffee to realise he has to stop screwing around, then as an actual character with her desires, obstacles and a past. But regardless, just like everyone else in the film, Moore brings her A-game to the script she was given. 

In short, Kaffee aims to prove that the duo who attacked Santiago had been directed to perform a “code red” (Cruel negative reinforcement) by Jessup. In fearing the consequences of disobeying Jessup, the pair fulfilled the task which unexpectedly led to his demise. 

The film feels as if it is getting us to contemplate the classic war notion: Who is at fault? The soldier firing the gun or the man giving the order? However, it quickly dismisses this to ensure we understand they are not arguing the moral of Nazis, but instead the deluded principals and actions of those in power.

But proving Jessup’s crimes will be no easy task. Whoever isn’t in the palm of Jessup’s hand, has been so mind warped by the honour, code and ancient philosophies ingrained in them that they would quicker disappear then speak up. 

The climax of the film is well known to the most casual of film goers. Kaffee gets Jessup onto the stand and essentially irritates him so beyond his limits that he cracks and Jessup exposes his actions, unwilling to believe he could possibly be held accountable. 

Check out the trailer for A Few Good Men

Though the film is by no means an in depth exploration of right and wrong, it does encourage questioning authority or the values of others. In whatever form that may take for the individual. Now, this is not permission to become a conspiracy theorist but it’s always worth standing up for what you believe is right. 

Proceeding this film, Cruise went onto star in Interview with the Vampire (1994), as Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible (1996) and in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia (1999). Just to name a few. 

If you’re into lawyer shows, murder mysteries or a good Tom Cruise flick, A Few Good Men is a must watch.

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