Before the Mission: Impossible series regained momentum, Tom Cruise faced setbacks due to underperforming films like Lions for Lambs and Valkyrie. Seeking a project that showcased both his action skills and his versatility, Cruise collaborated with screenwriter Kurt Wimmer on a spy thriller centered around a CIA agent suspected of being a Russian double agent. After directors Terry George and Peter Berg left the project, Phillip Noyce took over as director. Despite initial enthusiasm, Cruise ultimately stepped away, concerned the story resembled his Ethan Hunt character from Mission: Impossible too closely. Upon Amy Pascal’s recommendation, the lead role was reimagined as a female character, opening the door for Angelina Jolie to assume the part.
Jolie, interested in starring in a spy series but uninterested in a secondary role such as a Bond girl, saw the rewritten script as an opportunity to lead. Screenwriter Brian Helgeland helped refashion the screenplay to accommodate this gender shift, resulting in Salt—a modern espionage thriller that explored the fragile and ambiguous relationships between the U.S. and Russia. Although Cruise worried that it might feel repetitive, the film took a fresh approach to the spy genre by emphasizing the fluid boundary between allies and enemies in contemporary politics.
The Plot and Themes Behind the Spy Thriller Salt
Angelina Jolie portrays Evelyn Salt, a CIA officer investigating a Russian defector named Oleg Vasilyevich Orlov, played by Daniel Olbrychski. During interrogation sessions with Salt and her colleagues Ted Winter (Liev Schreiber) and Darryl Peabody (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Orlov reveals the existence of a double agent within the CIA planning to assassinate Russian President Boris Matveyev (Aleksander Krupa) during a sensitive event – the U.S. vice president’s funeral. The allegation causes chaos when Salt herself is accused as the mole and forced into hiding. What seems like a classic spy conspiracy evolves into a much more personal and complex attack on democratic processes.
The film’s action sequences are notably intense, especially for a PG-13 rating, and create sustained tension around shifting loyalties. Though Salt is revealed to have Russian roots and was trained in a covert program, her motivations extend beyond simple allegiance. Her aim is to prevent the assassination, which could unleash turmoil and provoke violent retaliation from extremists. Additionally, the narrative explores an emotional subplot involving Mike Krause, an arachnologist who becomes Salt’s husband after her release from detainment in North Korea. The relationship between Jolie and August Diehl’s characters adds genuine warmth and depth amid the intrigue, underscoring the fluctuating identities and motivations of the players involved.
Angelina Jolie’s Rise as a Leading Action Star Through Salt
Salt demonstrated Angelina Jolie’s capacity as a formidable action star by allowing her to engage in physically demanding stunts typically reserved for male actors. While her earlier roles in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Wanted brought her acclaim, these films often prioritized style over character complexity. Salt offered a balance of emotional depth and high-stakes action, portraying a woman contending with suspicion and danger in a male-dominated world. Jolie’s performance combined toughness with vulnerability, creating a protagonist audiences could believe in and root for. This portrayal could have met approval from Tom Cruise himself.
The film exceeded expectations by grossing nearly $300 million worldwide, earning critical praise including commendation from reviewers such as Roger Ebert. It also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Sound Mixing. Director Phillip Noyce’s reputation, forged with acclaimed spy thrillers like Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger, was reinforced through this project. Despite these successes, the teased sequel never materialized, leaving the audience to wonder what might have been—a rare chance for a female-led franchise in an action genre largely dominated by men.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. When was Tom Cruise diagnosed?
A. When Tom Cruise was seven, he found out he had dyslexia, a learning issue that makes reading difficult. This condition made school and early acting roles hard for him. Despite this challenge, he did not let it stop him from pursuing his dreams.
Q. What is Tom Cruise’s religion?
A. In 1955, Hubbard made a list of 63 famous people he hoped to convert to Scientology. Well-known members now include John Travolta, Tom Cruise, Kirstie Alley, Nancy Cartwright, and Juliette Lewis.
Q. What syndrome does Tom Cruise have?
A. When Tom Cruise was seven years old, he was found to have dyslexia, which makes reading difficult. This condition caused reading struggles for him in high school and early acting jobs.
Q. Does Tom Cruise have any disabilities?
A. Tom Cruise struggles with reading because he was diagnosed with dyslexia when he was seven. During high school and the start of his acting career, reading was very tough for him. Understanding scripts posed a significant challenge when he began acting.
