Film Review: American Made – Guildford Odeon

Published on: 26 Aug, 2017
Updated on: 26 Aug, 2017

By Dennis Harvey-Hepherd

American Made takes us on a fly past of 1970s Central America when a CIA “ends justifying means” policy, of turning a blind eye to drug smuggling, leads to the Iran-Contra Scandal of the 1980s.

The leading character Barry Seal (Tom Cruise) is not a hero. Much of his motivation is a mixture of greed and cowardice. As such, this makes a nice change from Cruise’s normal roles. It also gives him a chance to give us a semi-comic performance that he handles with some limited grace.

Most of the best humour comes from the actions of the surrounding characters and organisations. So this was, I found, historically interesting but lacking in tension, conviction and drive.

A medium grade of 3 out of five stars so great for fans and wet Saturdays.

Just opened at the Odeon for at least two weeks.