July 2, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

“American Made” Soars with Cruise in Top Form

By Nick Boyd

 

“American Made,” which is based on a true story, is a very entertaining movie starring Tom Cruise as a TWA pilot named Barry Seal, who first gets recruited by the CIA in 1978 to fly undercover for them and take surveillance photos in Central America. Domhnall Gleeson plays a CIA case officer named Monty Schafer who recruits him. Schafer gives Seal his own specially equipped plane to use for his covert missions, along with his own hangar.

Not long afterwards, Seal is approached by the Medellin Cartel to smuggle drugs into the U.S. on their behalf and accepts their lucrative offer. Despite the fact that he will be involved with seemingly violent criminals, including notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar, Seal has little qualms about taking the deal; he just wants to make sure that the runway in Central America is long enough for his plane. This is the first glimpse that Seal’s morals are questionable.

When Seal gets caught by the DEA on one of his drug smuggling runs for the Cartel and arrested, Schafer bails him out of jail and warns that his house will get raided. To avoid being there when this happens, Seal quickly moves his family out before dawn to a small town in Arkansas, a move arranged by Schafer. Seal’s wife and children are confused by what is happening, but as Cruise’s character is still undercover, he does not divulge why they have to suddenly pack up their things and leave.

With all the money flowing in, Seal is living the high life with his wife and children. His much younger wife Lucy, played by Sarah Wright, in a mostly thankless role for the actress, is not given much room to develop her character. Greed and excess are central to the storyline of Cruise’s character, who is always trying to get ahead. Things get messy for Barry’s operation when Lucy’s brother JB shows up unannounced at their new home in Arkansas. This uninhibited, slovenly young man with no discretion becomes a problem for Barry and creates major issues for his operations.

The film bears similarities to “The Infiltrator” with Bryan Cranston, which also features a protagonist who goes undercover and tries to win over those in the Medellin Cartel in their early years, going to great lengths to keep their true identities hidden.

Cruise is in top form in a role that lets him show off his boyish charm and confidence. He looks great for any age, let alone for someone in his 50s. Irish actor Gleeson also gives a good performance and pulls off a flawless American accent. This is a fast-paced film that never drags and benefits from the look and feel, which the cinematographer and production designer have gone to great lengths to convincingly evoke the era.

Related Posts

(Video) Los Angeles County Supervisor from the 2nd district, Holly J. Mitchel, Gives a Powerful Speech

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Supervisor Mitchell Called on Residents to take action at the rally for Ambrocio “Enrique” Lozano in Culver City.

Top Military Commander Urges Return of Troops Deployed to ICE Protest Response

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

General Requests 200 National Guard Soldiers Be Returned to California Wildfire Unit The senior U.S. military officer overseeing federal forces...

Second Victim Killed Alongside LAPD Sergeant in Brentwood 405 Crash Identified

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Authorities Confirm Garcia, 34, Died at the Scene, GoFundMe Launched  Authorities have identified the civilian who was killed alongside a...

The Westside Lights Up for July 4: Fireworks, Drone Shows, and Parades Return Across West Los Angeles

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

From Marina Del Rey’s Fireworks to Culver City’s 1980s-Themed Drone Show, Get Ready to Celebrate From fireworks over Marina del...

California Judge Rules FAIR Plan’s Smoke Damage Policy Unlawful

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Court Says Wildfire Insurance Program Illegally Denied Claims Legal protections for California homeowners took a step forward this week after...

(Video) Culver City Residents and City and County Leaders Rally for Disappeared Ice Cream Man Ambrocio “Enrique” Lozano

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

US Representative for California’s 37th Congressional District, Sydney Kamlager-Dove Speaks About What is happening to the disappeared.

Historic Sawtelle Nursery Site Could Become 40-Unit Townhome Complex

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Sawtelle Continues to Change as Nursery Site Faces Redevelopment Plans have been submitted to redevelop a nursery site, F.K. Nursery,...

Drake Slashes Price on Beverly Hills Estate to $79 Million Amid Market Slowdown

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Price Cut Adds to a Broader Retreat From His Los Angeles Real Estate Holdings. Musician Drake has reduced the price...

Iranian Pastor in West L.A. Speaks as Church Rocked by Immigration Raids 

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Five Detained as Fear Spreads Through Persian Christian Faith Community  Fear has spread through a West Los Angeles congregation after...

Overdose Deaths Drop 22% in Los Angeles County, Marking Largest Decline on Record

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Fentanyl Fatalities Fell 37% as County Ramps up Funding for Prevention, Treatment Drug overdose deaths in Los Angeles County declined...

Cinespia Brings Fireworks and Fan Favorites to Hollywood Forever This July

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Watch Top Gun, La La Land, and More Under the Stars at Hollywood Forever Cinespia, Los Angeles’ iconic outdoor movie...

California Doubles Down on Hollywood: $750M in Tax Credits Approved for Film and TV Industry

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

State Lawmakers Back Major Expansion of Production Incentives, Raising Job Projections Los Angeles’ film and television industry is poised to...

Pedestrian Killed on 405 Freeway to State Route 90 Connector in Culver City 

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Fatal Crash on Culver City Adds to Growing Safety Concerns Early Friday, a pedestrian died after being struck by a...

EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles Returns with Star Chefs, Firefighter Tribute, and Wildfire Relief Efforts

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Culinary Festival Features Exclusive Restaurant Collabs, Support for Small Businesses  EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles, the celebrated food festival curated by The...

Supporters to Gather This Weekend for Longtime Culver City Paleta Seller Held in Detention

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Family and Neighbors Will Gather Sunday to Sell Paletas and Raise Funds Supporters will gather this Sunday at Veterans Park...