The trials and tribulations of a young race car driver are chronicled in “Days of Thunder.” Director Tony Scott (“Top Gun” 1986) and screenwriter Robert Towne have filled this finely-crafted film with tons of car racing scenes, a good love story, and depictions of comradery among the racing community. So much so that neutral observers (such as this reviewer) cannot help but describe “Days of Thunder” as a race track version of “Top Gun.” Scott and producer Jerry Bruckheimer even hired Tom Cruise to fill the lead role.
Cruise is in top form here; he really owns this niche of movie role in the modern era. The talented supporting cast includes Robert Duvall, Randy Quaid, Nicole Kidman, Cary Elwes, Michael Rooker, John C. Reilly, Fred Thompson, Nick Searcy, and Margo Martindale in her first film role. Richard Petty, Rusty Wallace, Neil Bonnett, and Harry Gant all appear in racy cameos. An interesting footnote is that Kidman and Cruise met on the set of this film, and were married in 1990 (and divorced in 2001).
Honorable mention must go to Hans Zimmer for composing the excellent musical score of the film. “Days of Thunder” was successful at the box office for Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Paramount Pictures.
Days of Thunder (1990)
cinema
My Review
The trials and tribulations of a young race car driver are chronicled in “Days of Thunder.” Director Tony Scott (“Top Gun” 1986) and screenwriter Robert Towne have filled this finely-crafted film with tons of car racing scenes, a good love story, and depictions of comradery among the racing community. So much so that neutral observers (such as this reviewer) cannot help but describe “Days of Thunder” as a race track version of “Top Gun.” Scott and producer Jerry Bruckheimer even hired Tom Cruise to fill the lead role.
Cruise is in top form here; he really owns this niche of movie role in the modern era. The talented supporting cast includes Robert Duvall, Randy Quaid, Nicole Kidman, Cary Elwes, Michael Rooker, John C. Reilly, Fred Thompson, Nick Searcy, and Margo Martindale in her first film role. Richard Petty, Rusty Wallace, Neil Bonnett, and Harry Gant all appear in racy cameos. An interesting footnote is that Kidman and Cruise met on the set of this film, and were married in 1990 (and divorced in 2001).
Honorable mention must go to Hans Zimmer for composing the excellent musical score of the film. “Days of Thunder” was successful at the box office for Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Paramount Pictures.