The Controversial ’80s Movie That Gave Tom Cruise His Hollywood Start

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The Controversial '80s Movie That Gave Tom Cruise His Hollywood Start

As a gamer who grew up watching Tom Cruise dominate the silver screen, it’s disheartening to learn about the controversial origins of his career, specifically with the movie “Endless Love.” The treatment of Brooke Shields on set by Franco Zeffirelli is unacceptable and a stark reminder of Hollywood’s bias towards male directors and their power dynamics.

Tom Cruise, often recognized as Hollywood’s final iconic actor, leaves fans wondering about the future of cinema upon his retirement. Although he gained fame for action blockbusters, his first notable role was in the romantic drama “Endless Love.” Upon closer examination, this ’80s film is one of Cruise’s most contentious productions. The plot revolves around two teenagers, Jade (played by Brooke Shields) and David (Martin Hewitt), who fall in love despite a two-year age difference, as the movie’s tagline states, “She is 15, He is 17.”

In the film “Endless Love,” Brooke Shields played a significant role, but she has since shared her experiences with director Franco Zeffirelli’s conduct on set. In the 2023 Hulu documentary “Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields,” she revealed that Zeffirelli’s behavior during a sex scene was inappropriate and manipulative. She recounted an instance where he repeatedly grabbed her toe and twisted it, causing her pain and discomfort rather than the ecstasy suggested by her expression on screen.

The documentary includes old recordings of an interview in which Zeffirelli discusses why he pulled Shields’ toe during the intimate scene. In his own words, “When I had the camera focused on her, she didn’t convey the intensity the scene needed.” He added, “She was there, and the camera was here, so I quickly grabbed her toe and twisted it, causing her to exclaim ‘Ah!'”

In the documentary, Shields voiced her discomfort with the situation, stating, “I found the physicality and the portrayal of sexuality to be quite risky, and I wasn’t confident that the director could ensure a secure setting for me.”

Franco Zeffirelli’s comments reveal Hollywood’s bias

The Controversial '80s Movie That Gave Tom Cruise His Hollywood Start

It’s unfortunate to learn that Brooke Shields experienced such poor treatment and inappropriate behavior during the filming of “Endless Love.” Looking back, it’s also troubling to note how director Franco Zeffirelli spoke about both Shields and Tom Cruise. In a conversation with The Washington Post, Zeffirelli seemed to favor Cruise (who had a minor role in the 1981 movie) as an actor, stating, “Tom Cruise is lovely… He smiles at the right moments.” Today, Cruise continues his career as Maverick and has earned a massive fortune from the success of the “Top Gun” sequel.

Alternatively, Zeffirelli’s remarks about Brooke Shields’ performance in “Pretty Baby” are disappointing, given her significant contribution to the film’s $31 million domestic box office success. In an interview with The Washington Post, he described directing Shields as akin to whipping a lame horse. This film, however, offers a compelling exploration of how Hollywood has historically and continues to exploit female stars for entertainment purposes.

Brooke Shields says Franco Zeffirelli was not kind

The Controversial '80s Movie That Gave Tom Cruise His Hollywood Start

More recently, Franco Zeffirelli has faced significant backlash due to his on-set conduct and behavior. His 1968 rendition of “Romeo and Juliet” includes scenes that would be considered inappropriate for filming currently. In the year 2023, the main actors from the same production brought a lawsuit against the production team, alleging that underage nudity was included, despite Zeffirelli’s promises to the contrary.

After the announcement of her lawsuit, Brooke Shields shared insights on The New Yorker about the director’s behavior. She described him as cold and unnurturing, stating, “He wasn’t warm in the slightest,” further explaining that “[he] had a complex relationship with my mother because he couldn’t control me or possess me.” Shields found it intriguing when members of the ‘Romeo and Juliet’ cast revealed their experiences, which she found captivating.

The star shared insights about Zeffirelli’s behavior on set, describing it as both authoritative and exacting. She recalled, “You didn’t dare disobey him. That wasn’t how he functioned. And he would get upset.” Additionally, she mentioned that on the set of “Endless Love,” he teased her about her voice.

Should you, or anyone close to you, suspect or experience situations like child abuse or sexual assault, don’t hesitate to reach out to the resources provided below for assistance and support.

  • The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or contact their live chat services.
  • Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN’s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

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2024-07-31 20:59