Tom Cruise On Working With Jack Nicholson In A Few Good Men And Filming That Iconic Courtroom Scene: ‘You Work Towards Lightning In A Bottle

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Tom Cruise is renowned for executing thrilling stunts in the Mission: Impossible series, yet he demonstrates an equal talent for intense, serious roles that don’t require any acrobatics. Cruise has been recognized with Oscar nominations for his performances in films such as Born on the Fourth of July, Jerry Maguire, and Magnolia; however, I believe his finest dramatic performance was in the courtroom drama A Few Good Men.

In that movie, Cruise didn’t receive an Oscar nomination, whereas Jack Nicholson did. The intense courtroom confrontation between these two acting titans is a legendary film moment often recalled in history. During an interview with BFI’s Sight & Sound (as reported by Deadline), Cruise recounted the scene and particularly cherished collaborating with Jack Nicholson. Cruise highly esteemed the veteran actor, expressing his admiration: “I was fortunate to work with such a great talent.

In simpler terms, he was discovering himself, and each action seemed deliberate. As the situation unfolded, he grew increasingly focused and composed. This was evident in his posture, as he held his hat tightly to maintain balance and control. He was fully aware of the camera’s presence.

In that memorable scene, it’s not just Jack Nicholson’s “You can’t handle the truth” line that stands out, but his entire performance as Colonel Jessup. Tom Cruise, playing Lt. Kaffee, likens Nicholson’s eloquent monologue to a singer interpreting lyrics. To put it another way, Cruise suggests that just as a singer breathes life into the words of a song, so does Nicholson in his powerful courtroom speech.

He’s quite skilled with words, Nicholson. He’s similar to a singer who masterfully crafts a heartfelt ballad or a dramatic performance. He possesses an extraordinary ability to phrase things in a distinctive manner, not by luck, but through deliberate practice. His control over his body, voice, and understanding of the camera is evident.

It’s indisputable that Jack Nicholson is among the most outstanding actors in Hollywood history. Although Tom Cruise has been nominated for three Oscars, Nicholson garnered a remarkable twelve Oscar nominations throughout his career, with three wins. Interestingly, even Tom Cruise likened Jack Nicholson to another legendary actor: Marlon Brando. He stated…

Skilled performers seem to make their work appear effortless. For instance, when you observe Marlon Brando at the start of The Godfather, it’s evident that he is well-acquainted with the lighting and camera. In one take, when Coppola handed him the cat, he performed the scene flawlessly – that single take was all they needed.

Indeed, Nicholson wasn’t acting alone in that scene; Tom Cruise was present too. Both actors delivered top-notch performances to create a scene as iconic as the one from A Few Good Men. Cruise referred to it as “capturing lightning in a bottle,” suggesting that it required a blend of hard work and perhaps a dash of good fortune, to bring that moment to life. He put it this way:

In a sense, the success wasn’t merely by luck. It was more like capturing lightning in a bottle, which is exactly what we did with that particular scene. For me, it felt like music when I was acting. Jack and I were both there to perform. Acting for me is finding a new home in every moment. Every take presents a fresh opportunity. Although we had notes and specific beats to hit, the timing was always changing, and we needed to let it flow. Working with such an exceptional actor like Jack was like a dynamic exchange, where we discovered the scene together. The result? It shines on screen, as if by magic.

If you don’t remember just how great this scene is, check it out.

I’m about to revisit the entire movie “A Few Good Men”. It’s got to be one of the best performances I’ve seen from Tom Cruise, and Jack Nicholson as well, hands down.

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2025-07-12 14:09