_American Made_ is a strange movie, but it’s also really entertaining. The film offers a lighthearted and satirical perspective on how the infamous 'Iran-Contra' affair got started, seen through the experiences of pilot Barry Seal. Along the way, we get excitement, humor, surprising (real-life) developments, and some memorable characters. Even if you remember the public Iran-Contra scandal, you might not know about Seal’s story, who began transporting weapons for the CIA years before that well-known event occurred. _American Made_ is a quick, easygoing, and ethically questionable look at how a secret operation went wrong. There's no moralizing here; in fact, I found myself liking Seal’s haphazard approach to flying, committing crimes, and generally living his life. Tom Cruise seems ideally suited for the role of this confident, impulsive pilot. Having flown myself on occasion, I’ve encountered a few people similar to the one Cruise portrays, though not nearly as extreme. Cruise has recently been taking on roles that feel too young for him (like in _Jack Reacher: Never Go Back_), but his age actually works well here. In some ways, Seal is a man trying to hold onto his youth. If there’s one thing I wish had been different about _American Made_, it's that it largely avoids exploring the political context surrounding the events. We are told that the Sandinistas were evil Communists supported by Russia, which is what the CIA would have claimed at the time. (Looking back, things aren't so clear.) We get a brief glimpse of how the Reagan administration developed a misguided criminal plan for its own purposes, but the film concludes where the public Iran-Contra scandal began. Ollie North appears in just a few scenes. Still, Barry Seal’s story comes to a satisfying conclusion. The ending doesn't excuse anyone's actions, but it does make us consider our own moral compass, because I was drawn to like and admire Barry Seal despite his complete lack of principles or good judgment. Doug Liman directs with his characteristic style. He has had an incredibly diverse career, spanning from spy thrillers (_The Bourne Identity_) to superhero movies (_Jumper_), political dramas (_Fair Game_), and science fiction (_Edge of Tomorrow_). _American Made_ is a strong addition to that filmography. It’s enjoyable, thought-provoking, and distinctive—although its darker elements might not appeal to everyone.

Source on TMDB