WHAT'S THE CONCEPT ?
Inspired by an idealistic professor, Dr. Malley (Redford), two students at a West Coast university enlist in the US Army and head to Afghanistan. On a parallel note, in Washington D.C., charismatic Republican Presidential hopeful, Senator Jasper Irving (Cruise), invited TV journalist Janine Roth (Streep) for an exclusive on a new war strategy in Afghanistan, but she soon wonders if she is to become an instrument of propaganda.

WHAT'S LIKE ?
A study of the world around us and fears for democracy, the long talky movie was ripped apart by critics, and for once the numbers reflected their opinions. With $6.7 million in its opening weekend, this was Cruise’s worst box office take since The Color of Money.

WORTH WATCHING ?
The first United Artists film produced since Cruise signed with MGM to run United Artists, Cruise was so worried about how the film industry would view him based on its performance commercially, he invited Church of Scientology reps to a private screening, with all the Scientologists wearing identifying gold pins in their lapels. Ah, well, even Scientology can’t help a drag, Tommy boy.