American Made: A Hilarious and Gripping Satire of CIA-Backed Drug Smuggling
American Made delivers a zany and captivating political-crime satire centered on an American drug courier operating under the CIA’s protection.
In the late 1970s, the audacious civilian pilot Barry Seal (Tom Cruise) smuggles contraband from the U.S. to Canada. When CIA agent Schafer (Domhnall Gleeson) discovers this, he blackmails Barry into working for the agency. Instead of transporting passengers, Barry begins flying over Latin America, photographing rebel camps. He soon becomes a CIA courier, attracting the attention of Colombian drug lords led by Pablo Escobar, who need someone with official cover to transport cocaine into the U.S. Barry can’t resist the incredibly lucrative offer, and he earns so much money that he doesn’t know what to do with it.
Fun Fact: Director Doug Liman’s father, Arthur Lyman, was a prominent lawyer who played a key role in the Senate hearings on the Iran-Contra affair.
Peeling Back the Layers of American Democracy
For those who enjoy sausage, it’s best not to watch it being made. Similarly, for those who cherish American democracy, it’s wise to avoid satirical films like Wag the Dog that reveal the inner workings of the U.S. Director Doug Liman, known for The Bourne Identity, delivers another film that sarcastically exposes the truth, based on real events. Most of the characters, including Barry Seal, are real people. While American Made exaggerates and simplifies aspects, it remains a plausible portrayal of American behind-the-scenes political customs during the Reagan era.
During filming in Colombia, two American pilots died while returning to the airport when they encountered a storm and lost control of their aircraft.
From Photography to Arms Dealing: The Iran-Contra Affair
In the film, Barry starts by photographing rebels and then moves on to transporting weapons (notably Soviet-made) to Nicaragua, intended for use against the socialist regime. This makes him a participant in the complex international scandal known as the Iran-Contra affair, a significant stain on Reagan’s reputation.
We won’t delve into the details for those unfamiliar with the story. American Made recounts it so engagingly and vividly that it’s more entertaining to learn about Iran-Contra through the film than through dry articles and encyclopedias. The film connects the CIA, drug lords, pseudo-rebels, the president’s team, mid-level officials, Latin American dictators, and even Bill Clinton, who was then the governor of Arkansas. It’s not an attack on any specific group or political party but a slap in the face to everyone even indirectly involved in “building democracy” in Latin America and spreading the cocaine epidemic in the U.S.
A Stellar Cast Brings the Story to Life
The film features many characters, but it’s easy to keep track of them. Charismatic actors and a skillfully written script make almost all the significant characters colorful and memorable. Tom Cruise, with his superstar smile, undoubtedly shines in the film, and it’s unlikely the film would have been possible without an actor of his caliber, as Barry is far from a positive hero, and it’s not easy to sympathize with him. However, Cruise doesn’t overshadow the other performers, and some of the film’s best moments belong to them.
.jpg “Scene from “American Made””)
The Dark Side of the American Dream
Despite his charm and drive, Barry Seal embodies how far the American Dream can go astray. He craves an exciting and well-paid life, striving to provide a luxurious lifestyle for his wife and daughters. Consequently, he transports weapons and drugs, violating the laws of several countries and getting away with it thanks to the agency’s protection. His face shines, but his hands are covered in blood, even though he doesn’t shoot anyone or even carry a weapon. He wants to be a businessman but becomes an accomplice to certified scoundrels. Yet, he has so much cash that the main street in his town is lined with banks, all serving a single client. He needs somewhere to store the bags, suitcases, and boxes of money that no longer fit in his house!
A Thrilling Ride
While not a thriller in the traditional sense, American Made is dynamic and dramatic enough to feel like one. The film is as engaging in its dialogue scenes as in its action sequences, as Barry deals with people capable of anything, even when they’re laughing and patting him on the back.
In conclusion, if you want to have a good time watching how the sausage of American intelligence services is made, don’t miss Liman’s film. And don’t think that much has changed since the 1980s. Recent scandals involving Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan clearly demonstrate that American Made is exceptionally relevant. That’s precisely why Liman made it.