In Defense of Tom Cruise

I just had this random wave of sympathy for Tom Cruise, a man conservatively worth $300 million.  I'm having it because he's been widely lambasted in the media and word-of-mouth over the past couple of years as being somewhat out there.

Well Tom, I'm here to defend you buddy. Personally, I haven't seen too many displays of pure joy recently (Maybe besides Howard Dean's famous 'YEAOWWWW!). The fact is that adults grow intimidated by child-like joy, and Tom has paid a heavy price for displaying it fervently and frequently. Case-in-point: his appearance on Oprah was quite the focal point (it was caffeinated, but at least he was experiencing elation).

Figures in the entertainment industry are widely criticized as having flaky, even non-existent principles. And then, here's Tom Cruise, a guy who is VERY devout about Scientology, VERY devout about Katie Holmes and VERY excited about his new child. Maybe his VERYs aren't your VERYs, but I see him in committed relationships with all of them for a very long time.

And back to the point about child-like joy.  He shows it: So what? Seriously, if you look at the personal lives of many of your favorite, composers, actors, musicians, etc., you're bound to find drugs, sex and rock'n'roll in abundance. So why is Tom getting lit-up like Vegas for being a happy guy? Maybe it's because people are jealous of pure joy as they often lost it some time ago.

Tom, you make Mission Impossible 4 and I'll go see it.

Comments

[RobiNZ]

There's no defence for Scientology but I heard an amusing TC related item the other day. A local radio station reviewed the MI3 DVD then had a competition to give some away:

Host: "Name three movies Tom Cruise has appeared in"
1st caller: "Mission Impossible 1, 2 and 3"
Host: OK, didn't think of that, bit easy wasn't it!

[bob handwerk]

Admittedly my observation is from a distance (and it's usually against my better judgment to offer subjective comments from afar)- but I can't help myself: I concur Tom Cruise is VERY committed --to himself: ok this is pop psychology analysis 101 --
bob