Tom Cruise, paparazzi come to Pelham
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- October
- 19
The only thing weirder than Tom Cruise coming to Pelham? Exiting the Pelham Picture House, after the event—a screening of his movie “Lions for Lambs,” directed by Robert Redford and also starring Meryl Streep—to find a swarm of fans and paparazzi shreiking uncontrollably. For about a half hour.
The movie itself was a thought-provoking, if slightly depressing, take on the current war on terror. In it, Cruise plays a Machiavellian senator trying to persuade a journalist (Streep) that his new military strategy will yield better results; Redford is a college professor attempting to motivate a lazy student to take a more pro-active stance on what he believe in; and two soldiers (Michael Pena and Derek Luke), who turn out to be former students of Redford’s professor, fight on the front lines of Afghanistan.
After the credits, the flood lights came on and Travers took the stage. “We have two people here to talk to us tonight,” he said. “First is a young actor looking to get his big break: Tom Cruise.â€?
The thunderous applause almost drowned out the second introduction, for the film’s screenwriter, Matthew Carnahan (who also penned the recent No. 1 hit, “The Kingdomâ€?). Carnahan and Cruise walked up the aisle together, but it all eyes were on Jerry Maguire. The actor wore a blue blazer, blue jeans, and boyish Prince Valiant haircut (presumably from his new WWII Nazi film, “Valkyrieâ€?). Surveying the scene, Cruise remarked—without a hint of irony—“What a beautiful theater.â€?
To which Travis replied: “You don’t want to say it’s too beautiful, Tom, because we’re really trying to change it.�
The rest of the evening had its share of witty banter, and a few heartfelt responses to the movie’s two central themes—guilt over not doing anything to challenge the war, and apathy towards the state of political discourse in our country these days. If you’re interested in listening, here’s a full recording of the evening:
More photos of the event, courtesy of Jay Ackerman and the Picture House, are after the break.
UPDATE: Check out my extended article on the Cruise visit in this Sunday’s Journal News.
Still want more of Tom in Pelham? Extra has video of Cruise outside the Picture House.
(all photos courtesy Jay Ackerman / Pelham Picture House)
This entry was posted
on Friday, October 19th, 2007 at 6:34 pm by Ted Mann.
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I was there and that bodyguard did not have anything written on his head. It makes me wonder how accurate the rest of your story / reporting is.
Fair enough, Jon. I confess to not actually having seen the writing on the bodyguard's head first-hand, so I removed that remark.
The photo came directly from the Picture House's photographer, so I don't know if somehow the phrase "Tom Cruies Security" was somehow added after the fact. At any rate, I was at the event, as the recording of the entire Q&A should make clear.
What did you think of the movie? Or Cruise's answers during the Q&A?
Thank you very much, that was a great interview. Tom does have a nice sense of humor.
I can't wait for the movie to be release here in Paris.
Goodbye
Tom will come to Hollywood at AFI film fest for his new movie ..Lions for lambs,( openning Gala) there is a after-party…anyone has extra ticket?