A Love Story on Screen: Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise in Untied

Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman may no longer be in a relationship, but their performances on screen have left a lasting impact on fans and the film industry alike. The pair met in the racing film Days of Thunder and their chemistry was undeniable. They later reunited in the sweeping romantic epic Far and Away , and scarily demonstrated the inverse of a passionate love in Eyes Wide Shut . Let's delve into the movies these two famous actors played starring roles in together, and explore what these cinematic moments revealed about their on-screen relationship.

Days of Thunder (1990)

The film was a high-octane edge-of-your-seat race film that introduced the world to Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Kidman was cast as Sammi Curtis and Cruise as Tom Wolski, the rivals on the track. This film was actually where the pair met, and while not a romantic pairing on screen, it was a perfect opposite for their future on-screen chemistry. Cruise portrays a cocky young man fresh out of college who has dreamt of leaving home to race cars in the NASCAR series, while Kidman plays a soon to be single mother who leaves her small farm to join her boyfriend, Tom, and take chances with him in the big city.

The chemistry between the two was undeniable, and it's said that they were attracted to each other from the moment they met on set. The film was a commercial success, grossing over $227.5 million worldwide, and the two were nominated for a Golden Globe for their on-screen performances.

Far and Away (1990)

Less than a month after the release of Days of Thunder (which interestingly enough was also directed by Randal Kleiser), these two became one of the most famous Hollywood couples with the release of Far and Away . The pair plays an Irish couple, Jeremy and Mollie Biggs, as they travel through the Great Depression and are plagued by prejudice and harsh realities. It was the first time the two had played a romantic lead in a film together, and the audience was presumably eager to see the two on-screen chemistry translate to the real world.

The film received mixed reviews, but it did win a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Drama. Cruise's portrayal of Jeremy was praised for its physicality and intensity. In the film, Jeremy is a chiseled working-class man who is middle-of-the-road, rather than the flashy, charismatic hero of most of his films. He's poorly educated and has a temper, but his quality shines through as he and Mollie (played by Kidman) work to build their life together. There is some doubt as to whether this film is a true reunion for the couple, as it was shot around the time of their relationship, and they were seen in public for the first time shortly after the film's release. Regardless of the timing, the on-screen chemistry between the two was palpable.

Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

Eyes Wide Shut was the last film Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman played starring roles in together before their split. Admittedly, it was a very different kind of film from the two before it – a psychological thriller that combined Hitchcockian suspense with the daft world of Stanley Kubrick's productions. Starring Cruise as Dr. Bill Harford and Kidman as his wife Alice, the film tracks their night-long adventure as they explore the shadows of their life and begin to consider the dangers lurking just below the surface.

The two actors were praised for their nuanced performances, though it is worth noting that this film did not do particularly well with audiences or critics. However, the film was a critical success and was described as one of the most effective, haunting and complex of Kubrick's works. The film's stark, surreal setting creates a haunting environment, with Cruise's performance as Bill described as an intense, restrained and unsettling portrayal. Kidman's performance as Alice, on the other hand, is complex and layered, portraying a woman who is struggling with societal expectations and the pressures of her life. There are analyses of the film, particularly from a feminist perspective, that argue this very much depicts a failed marriage, and perhaps this may have contributed to the couple's separation. However, the on-screen chemistry between the two remained high, and their portrayals were widely accepted as one of the best ever seen in a married couple in a film.

As the years have passed, Cruise and Kidman's iconic on-screen partnership is still celebrated by fans and film historians. It's a testament to the depth of their talent and the ability of the film industry to bring high-concept stories and romance to life for the mainstream audience. Each film, from Days of Thunder to Far and Away and Eyes Wide Shut, brought new depth to their relationship and their characters on the screen, and these performances still hold up despite the passage of time.

Conclusion

Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman’s on-screen relationship has been marked by a range of incredible performances and memorable moments. From the high-octane thrill of Days of Thunder to the bittersweet poignancy of Eyes Wide Shut , each film they starred in together has captured the imagination of audiences, and helped define their legacies as both actors and as a couple.

Though the couple separated in 2001, their film careers have seen both actors go on to win multiple Golden Globes and have influential roles on both stage and screen. In the professional sphere, the pair's collaborations on screen have been an inspiration, showing how strong on-screen chemistry can lead to incredible performances, driving both to new heights of talent. The legacy of Days of Thunder , Far and Away , and Eyes Wide Shut remains an important part of film history and their joint career.