If you were paying attention to the full-page ads for the feature film "LIONS for LAMBS" in recent weeks, you undoubtedly noticed some curious goings-on!
Shortly after the film - which had a tepid opening performance - was released, snippets of reviews touting Cruise's acting ability nudged their way to the top of the advertisements in all their radiance. (!)
Of course, many were under the impression, that "LIONS for LAMBS" was a Robert Redford film; after all, the SUNDANCE kid starred and directed, right?
Wrong!
Actually, "LIONS" was the first project Cruise and his producer-partner, Paula Wagner, undertook since Tom got the boot from Paramount.
If you recall, Sumner Redstone (Head of Paramount) did not renew Cruise's contract with the studio biggie because he felt that the star's outside activities - an involvement with the controversial Church of Scientology, for instance - were hurting box office receipts.
Notwithstanding, it's evident at this juncture, that the spotlight was placed on Cruise's acting - by virtue of his own hand!
Think about it...
As Executive Producer on "Lions for Lambs" - Tom was "top dog" - who managed and controlled publicity for the feature.
One has to wonder, then - was it vanity?
A big ego, perhaps.
Or, just plain old insecurity, that prompted Cruise to put his own reviews upfront and center in advertisements in all the major dailies, above everyone else in the cast?
You see, Tom made a classic mistake in the business, which would be wise to pay heed to.
True, for a number of years - the No. 1 Box Office actor - basked in good press, kind thoughts, and was showered with all good intentions.
In addition, one of the sexiest men alive, was the subject of image-boosting articles, a proliferation of flattering photos, and a lot of ego-stroking; uh-huh, from all quarters of the business.
Why?
In the early days of his fledgling career, Tom was smart enough to recognize the importance of an excellent publicist - so - the astute star proceeded to hire a handful of the most capable, powerful, PR agents in all of Hollywood.
With the stellar team at the helm, all was well in Tinseltown, for decades to come.
But, out-of-the-blue one day - without warning - the agitated actor (for some inexplicable reason) fired his loyal Public Relations folks - yeah, he sent 'em packing!
Oh my, it appears he opened Pandora's box, because all manner of strange occurrences befell him.
Suddenly, Tom was fighting with Brook Shields about psychiatry on National Television, jumping on couches, and tooling around town on a - what?
A motorcycle!
The subliminal message was "crystal clear"...the aging Lothario was pining for the heady days when he was once a TOP GUN.
Mid-life crisis?
Bottom line, Cruise was spilling out negative print as fast as the presses could run it...
And, before you could say - "Mission Impossible" - Cruise's image was not only in tatters, but his whole career was in a free fall, to the bottom of showbiz infamy.
Up until the exit of his handlers, there hadn't been any risky business to speak of; in fact, Tom had been blessed with good fortune.
Yes, he was in the enviable position to dictate the questions fielded at exclusive interview sessions, pick and choose the snippets of chit-chat to incorporate into news features, and - most importantly - was able to appease the beast inside...an obvious control-freak, lurking beneath the sunny, outgoing surface.
But all that evaporated into thin air when he ventured into the unknown, after sending his Public Relations officers, packing.
From the sidelines, naysayers titter, that the once affable star is a hair's breath away from the dreaded B-list.
But, with $$$ in the bank, for the moment he's secure - financially - at least.
Tom, you once had us at "hello", what happened?
I did not have sex with that man!
A forced kiss?
