Review: Inspired by True Events, ‘American Made’ Oozes with a Sarcastic Vibe Which Undoubtedly Makes It More Enjoyable

“American Made” deals with a real-life historical figure, Barry Seal, the notorious pilot who served as a delivery boy—or ‘gringo’, as the movie puts it—for the Medellin Cartel. He jumped back and forth on his role in drug smuggling and arms trafficking, serving Pablo Escobar and his archenemy, the CIA.

On a very crucial point of American history, Seal did everything to earn some extra cash. And boy, did he do that perfectly. Piles of cash covered his home to his airport, later used for training Contras who were based in Honduras. Seal had a heck of a life covered in adrenaline rushes; and Tom Cruise teams up with director Doug Liman to make sure that we, too, don’t get left out of that thrill.

Tom Cruise and Domhnall Gleeson in a scene from “American Made.” Photo: Universal Pictures, 2017

Liman, along with writer Gray Spinelli, carves out quite an interesting and arousing movie. It’s not a masterpiece; it’s not even something that does anything out of the box. There is nothing fresh about it, and we all know what happens in such a drug lord’s tale. These at times make “American Made” not only clichéd but also somewhat boring.

But that’s only sometimes, as Cruise and the filmmakers make sure you don’t really start dozing off. It’s fun, caustic and can give us a fresh vibe at times. You might expect serious bombarding actions here. In contrast, there is just a car explosion-action to speak of.

The movie is most noteworthy for the aviation scenes. Aircrafts flying above the lush South American jungles, the excitement when Seal pulls of a turbulence willingly or manages to take off from a short runway—these are the rousing scenes that keep you hooked.

Scenes and direction, being noteworthy, wouldn’t have been able to keep “American Made” afloat had it not been for the charismatic Tom Cruise. He is well over 50, almost a decade older than the man he portrays was; yet he still holds that magnetic look and smile. Cruise’s stunning stunts and his body movement and dialogue delivery make it, all in all, his show. It’s a role tailor-made for Cruise, and he enjoys every bit working on it, exuberance clearly visible on-screen. Cruise exudes such an appealing look, it’s not possible for the actors to shine in their own way.

Tom Cruise in a scene from “American Made.” Photo: Universal Pictures, 2017

As for the supporting cast, Lucy Seal, played by Sara Wright Olsen, has quite a thankless role. She is suspicious about her husband’s extra income, but then plays along as the cash flows in. The film would have been much more enjoyable if she had a stronger viewpoint instead. Domhnall Gleeson as the CIA agent who recruited Seal into those clandestine missions does an acceptable job. Admittedly he had to share screen with Cruise for most of the time, in the process unable to surpass the latter’s disarming appeal.

Christophe Beck’s music is another marvelous addition to the best points of the film. Using classical music, including Beethoven, Beck cast a grim and yet funny look to the whole picture. Cesar Charlone, Liman’s director of photography, proves just as fine, albeit minor disruptions with some animated scenes which looked misplaced.

All in all, “American Made” is amusing to a huge extent as Cruise is doing what he is best known for. Any fans of the genre and the superstar will have a ball watching this adrenaline-filled spectacle. This latest addition to the Liman-Cruise collaboration is a true story that’s fictionalized in the best way possible, to give a much loving sarcastic vibe—which undoubtedly makes the movie more enjoyable.

*”American Made” is currently available to stream on Hulu, YouTube, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime.