I haven't seen the original, so I probably wouldn't be able to follow the plot or understand what's happening in this.

LOL!

Cruise, I think more than any other star or superstar, excemplefies Gore Vidal's argument that a film's "auteur" isn't the director or writer, but the stars. At least since sound forced the director to sit back & watch like everyone else.

I actually might give it a go based on your review. Thanks.