Should Tom Cruise Stay in the Woodwork?

We can all sense it - the growing cloud looming over the world of entertainment: is Tom Cruise making a comeback? Deep in my heart, I cringe slightly at the thought. Dear Tom Cruise, who won us over with Top Gun and Jerry Maguire and scared us all with his fanatical defense of Scientology and his sudden, uncontrollable passion for that dark haired girl from Dawson's Creek. Was it just me, or did that whole relationship seem a little too much like one of those 3-hour movies you see at the theater and make your legs fall asleep and keep you checking your watch?

His role within our society went from being a handsome, respected actor to the scene that seemed to be on reply for the last few years of him jumping on Oprah's coach. We all remember it. It was the jump that ended his career -as if any leftover acting talent was seeped up into the couch cushions and absorbed by the next person to grace Oprah's couch. Whispers circulate that Topic Thunder, a minor role, will help him gain back favor for his viewers. Ah, Topic Thunder, if it is that movie that brings Cruise back to the limelight... well, God help us all.

He's like the kid on the playground that nobody likes, so he reacts by trying to force being likeable. His attempts to be endearing, especially that smile, seem fake - like he's trying to trick us. Well, I'm sorry to tell you Tom, but the spell has worn off. Oh, I'll still break out Risky Business sometimes, even Far and Away, but I can't say that the smile has retained any of its charm from Jerry Maguire. No, it just looks plastered on, like plastic surgery gone wrong.

Hollywood, though, will give him his chance. The money-makers sitting high and mighty in their glass-encased towers won't be able to refuse the chance of more money drifting their way. Whether or not Cruise can still act, however, well, that is the question.