It seems like MGM has a lot riding on Cruise, Singer, and Valkyrie. Brook Barnes (NY Times) writes that, "“Valkyrie” has turned into a test not only of Mr. Cruise’s career durability, but of MGM’s determination to be taken seriously as a producer and distributor of the kind of risky event films that define a major studio." Brad Brevet (Rope of Silicon) adds that:
I'm not expecting much out of the film. The trailers look great. I don't mind the lack of accents, but I think Cruise will hurt the film more than anything. Hopefully, the story and direction will be enough to salvage this project, but I'm not expecting it to resuscitate Cruise's once bright career.Based on everything that has happened the article ends up pointing at the December 26 release of Valkyrie as a major test for the studio as well as its star, Tom Cruise. Considering the film centers on a group of men who set out to assassinate Hitler with Cruise playing a German officer, the release date, subject matter and casting has all come into question. The film has bounced all around the release schedule, has had to endure reshoots and despite some fantastic looking trailers still undergoes scrutiny based on the lack of German accents, especially from Cruise who plays the films figure-head Claus von Stauffenberg.
This movie would have been an Oscar juggernaut 17 years ago.
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Unfortunately, I think this film is not going to get the look in it may deserve because of it's lead actor. To be honest, I will not watch a Cruise film because of him. The only exception to this rule is Speilberg's War of the Worlds, which really could have had anymale actor playing the father role because the EFX and Dakota Fanning outshine Cruise in this by a long shot.
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