Much to Ben Stiller’s chagrin, the cat is now officially out of the bag about Tom Cruise’s cameo in “Tropic Thunder” (check out our new Ben Stiller interview here). This morning, the New York Times reported at length about Cruise’s performance in Stiller’s upcoming big summer comedy. So the surprise is gone. Oh, well. But I am here to tell you that it will do nothing to detract from your enjoyment of “Tropic Thunder” when it opens August 15. And it all comes down to one man. No, not Cruise. Robert Downey Jr.
I’ve seen “Tropic Thunder” and as I’ve been telling anyone who will listen since, Robert Downey Jr.’s performance is absolutely one of the funniest I have seen in years.
As you’ve seen from the trailer by now, Downey plays an actor so committed to his craft that he’s altered the pigment of his skin to play an African-American soldier in Vietnam. But this is so much more than a stunt performance. We’re far too early for me to reveal any specific moments from the performance but I will say that Downey is mesmerizing from his first moments in the film (he appears alongside a high profile star in a movie within a movie that is kind of genius).
This is clearly going to be a huge year for Downey between “Iron Man” and co-starring in “Atonement” director Joe Wright’s latest, “The Soloist.” But as much as the latter may sound like Oscar-bait, I am here to tell you that his turn in “Tropic Thunder” is worthy of awards consideration. It’s a role we’ll be talking about for years to come. Trust me.
April 3rd, 2008 at 4:24 pm
I’m boycotting all Tom Cruise related media…
…except on youtube. he’s at his best when he’s tap-dancing for his cult
April 3rd, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Sounds wonderful, thanks for the insight! Can’t wait to see the film, RDJ is such a fantastic actor.
April 4th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Tropic Thunder sounds like it will be hilarious … and then, doesn’t Downey ALWAYS steal the show!!! He is a most amazing actor and always adds so much of himself and his ideas, which are brilliant. This is definitely the “year of Downey” …. with Iron Man, Tropic Thunder and “The Soloist”. Looking forward to them all.
And let’s not forget the first Downey film of the year, Charlie Bartlett …… again, he was terrific as was the whole cast.
April 5th, 2008 at 9:44 am
I cannot wait to see this movie. Robert has always been and will always be a brilliant actor.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:04 am
drink that kool-aid up!
April 8th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
I would really LOVE to see RDJ but I’m gonna have to decline…..I don’t care to see Tom Cruise in an L. Ron Hubbard fat suit. Haven’t we endured enough of his crap? He can’t even get in a movie unless he’s disguised and not given credit for the two bit part. It was never intended as a surprise for the audience. It was to dupe us into attending a film that included Cruise.
Thanks for the advance warning of Cruise appearing in this film…YUCK
April 10th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Wat movies is this
April 26th, 2008 at 4:45 am
I seriously cannot wait to see this even though I have to. I was just about in tears when I saw the trailer; I love it!
(I will actually like to see T.C. in a fat suit; I thought he was O.K. in Collateral, but other than than I’m not into him.)
Peace!