Tom Cruise’s ‘Porky’s’ style sex comedy that nobody remembers: “It was a valuable experience”
Starting off in Hollywood is not easy, although the protagonist of ‘Mission Impossible’ now sees the funny side.
Despite being one of Hollywood’s biggest stars today, Tom Cruise’s beginnings in film were anything but easy. In the early 1980s, Cruise was a nobody — just another supporting actor who made his debut in 1981 with Endless Love.
That same year, however, he landed a small but memorable role in Taps, surprising audiences with his intense performance as the young cadet David Shawn.
Two years later, Cruise showcased his talent once again in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Outsiders, a film that became a launchpad for several young actors who would later become major stars, including C. Thomas Howell, Ralph Macchio, Matt Dillon, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, Diane Lane, Emilio Estevez, and Cruise himself. Surrounded by so many emerging talents, he had to fight hard to make a name for himself in the industry.
That same year, Cruise’s agents decided his next move should be a comedy, specifically, one of the lighthearted, risqué teen films that were popular in the 1980s, such as Porky’s. This led to Losin’ It, directed by Curtis Hanson and starring Shelley Long, John Stockwell, Jackie Earle Haley, and Cruise as a teenager named Woody.
The film follows four Los Angeles teenagers in the 1950s who travel to Tijuana on a misguided quest to lose their virginity. It delivers exactly what you’d expect from a Porky’s-style comedy: ridiculous situations, raunchy jokes, flashes of nudity, and forgettable performances — a very 1980s film set in the 1950s.
Interestingly, Cruise only accepted the role on the condition that he could work alongside Jackie Earle Haley. Unfortunately, the project turned out to be a complete flop. Despite a $7 million budget, it grossed just over $1 million, and today holds a dismal 18% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s safe to say it’s a film best left forgotten.
Cruise, however, viewed it differently:
“It was an incredible learning experience because it was the first time I realized that some people don’t know how to make films, and they don’t have the same level of passion or commitment to quality,” he later reflected. “I’m not downplaying it; it was as valuable and important an experience as Taps. Okay, how can I learn from this and continue to grow?”
Fortunately, that same year Cruise managed to turn things around, starring in Risky Business, the film that launched him into stardom and set him on an upward trajectory with titles like Top Gun, The Color of Money, Cocktail, Rain Man, Born on the Fourth of July, and Days of Thunder.
Related stories
And the rest, as they say, is history. For those curious to see a young Tom Cruise at the very start of his Hollywood journey, Losin’ It is available to stream on Prime Video.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment