Despite his somewhat distracting hunk-status, Tom Cruise's always been a good actor. In an open-faced, boy-scout kind of way. Like he was in Jerry Mcguire, when his successful career ended the day his conscience awoke. That's how Cruise got stuck in our heads - the guy with a whole army of personal demons and only one truth to hold onto to keep him sane. That's also Captain Algren. Only, with some serious kickass potential.
The story is set in late 19th century Japan, a country eagerly courting development and the Western way of life. Kimonos are replaced with trousers, swords with fire....