Netflix incorporates Tom Cruise's movie, a performance that could have earned him an Oscar for Best Actor.
Tom Cruise, one of Hollywood's most iconic actors, has had an impressive career spanning over four decades. However, despite multiple Academy Award nominations, the elusive statuette has yet to find a home in his collection. In 1990, Cruise was nominated for Best Actor for his powerful portrayal of Ron Kovic in the Vietnam War drama, Born on the Fourth of July.
The film, directed by Oliver Stone and co-written with Kovic himself, is a gripping exploration of the real-life veteran's journey from a patriotic soldier to an anti-war and pro-human rights advocate. Cruise's performance was critically acclaimed, earning him a Golden Globe and widespread praise. Yet, the Oscar for Best Actor that year went to another nominee, Daniel Day-Lewis for My Left Foot.
Born on the Fourth of July is not a typical patriotic movie. Instead, it offers a raw and unflinching portrayal of the realities of war and its impact on individuals. The film's powerful narrative and Cruise's transformative performance have led some to argue that it should have won the Best Picture Oscar over Driving Miss Daisy in the same year.
Cruise's nomination for Best Actor marked a significant milestone in his career, but it was not his first or last. He was nominated again for Best Actor in 1997 for Jerry Maguire, and for Best Supporting Actor in 2000 for Magnolia. In 2023, he received a Best Picture nomination as a producer for Top Gun: Maverick. Despite these nominations, Cruise has not yet taken home an Oscar for acting.
However, Cruise's contributions to cinema are set to be recognised with an Honorary Oscar in 2026. This prestigious award will honour his lifetime achievements and his commitment to the filmmaking community, theatrical experience, and stunt community. This will mark the first time Cruise receives an official Oscar statuette, making it a fitting end to a remarkable career.
For those who haven't seen Born on the Fourth of July, it is now streaming exclusively on Netflix in the US. Viewers can decide for themselves whether they agree with the assessment that it is a superior film to Driving Miss Daisy. In the film, Cruise delivers one of the best performances of his career as Ron Kovic, a role that required him to transform physically and emotionally in ways not seen as much in his more recent work.
Despite missing out on the Best Actor Oscar for Born on the Fourth of July, Cruise's talent and impact on cinema are undeniable. His Honorary Oscar in 2026 is a testament to his lasting legacy in the industry.
- The trailer for the series, celebrating Tom Cruise's career, might offer a glimpse into his profound impact on movies-and-tv.
- If you haven't reviewed Jerry Maguire, a film that earned Cruise a Best Actor nomination, it's worth watching.
- Tom Cruise, an actor known for his transformative performances, was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in 2000 for the film Magnolia.
- Netflix's streaming platform in the US provides an opportunity for movie enthusiasts to watch Born on the Fourth of July, a film that earned Cruise a Best Actor nomination.
- The cast for Top Gun: Maverick, which received a Best Picture nomination in 2023, includes Tom Cruise, one of Hollywood's most iconic celebrities.
- Despite the premiere of Born on the Fourth of July not securing the Best Picture Oscar for Cruise, it offers a brutally honest depiction of war, setting it apart from typical patriotic movies.
- Streaming platforms like Netflix have made it possible for entertainment lovers to revisit classic films like Born on the Fourth of July, providing a chance to reassess its place among the greatest movies in history.
