Cruise in for a Bruisin’

After 20+ years of stardom, Tom Cruise is in deep trouble. What was that boy thinking advising Brooke Shields on her response to postpartum depression? I’m a guy, so what do I know, but I’ve heard and read that most people, especially female people, will ask for advice if they want it. Don’t hold your breath, buddy. What make it worse in this case is that Brooke Shields seems to be a thoughtful person. So rule #1 (since you ask): no unsolicited advice. This rule is carved in granite when you are biologically incapable of literal sympathy (same feelings).

Probably 80% of Tom’s fans are female. I’m a guy, so what do I know? I loathed Top Gun and Risky Business was ridiculous but A Few Good Men showed promise and Born on the Fourth of July was brave and brilliant. And he’s been very good in many other films. But this isn’t about his development into a fine actor. This is about his being a Movie Star. His latest, War of the Worlds, was probably hurt by his personal appearances and comments. It won’t help that he fired his sister/agent. She didn’t get him in this trouble.

Now, he’s gone and said something stupid like “quiet!” to the mother of his child. Worse, he apparently believes she should be quiet while delivering their baby! Remember rule #1 in granite. Add mantra: I’m a guy, so I don’t know nothin’ about birthin’ babies.

He can still recover so that this midlife crisis isn’t fatal to his career. He has to return to the basics: smile, laugh, and don’t take himself so seriously. If he wants to proselytize, run for elected office. It didn’t hurt Clint Eastwood with the right wingers (much) that he was mayer of a lefty town. Keep Good Morning America and Today for happy talk! But what do I know, I’m just a guy.