Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman made three movies together: Days of Thunder (1990), Eyes Wide Shut (1999) and Far and Away (1992). They met on the set of Days of Thunder (1990)

In comparing the three, one has to look at what was going on in their lives at the time. 1990 saw Cruise coming out of a marriage with Mimi Rogers. He met Kidman while they were filming Days of Thunder and sparks flew on and off the set. This particular film cannot be called their best pairing as they were just finding each other and their own lives were slightly on the turbulent side.

Days of Thunder tracks the up and coming hot shot on the NASCAR circuit played by Cruise. Kidman plays the brain surgeon he meets after an accident sends him to the hospital. There are parting shots and one liners that bring you to see where this relationship might go, but the film is too edgy to really give you a sense of the characters.

Two years later, the couple come together as a newlyweds in Far and Away. This is hands down the best pairing of the two. As an Irish immigrant, Cruise plays the role brilliantly. It is that heartfelt desire all immigrants had to come to America and own land that isn't governed by a lord. Kidman plays the spoiled rich girl excellently in this movie. She has a dream to escape Ireland and helps get Cruise on the ship sailing to America with her. An interesting bit of trivia here is that, the director wasn't happy with the scene where Kidman peeks under a bowl covering Cruise's private parts. In the retake, Cruise, unbeknown to his new wife, placed the bowl sans boxers and she got quite a surprise when she lifted the bowl. The shocked expression is indeed genuine here.

Several years after their culmination of marriage, they came together again in Eyes Wide Shut. This movie has been analyzed as a possible preconceived notion to the couple's eventual divorce. It deals with adultery on a level not many of us could begin to fathom. Cruise plays the part of a doctor whose wife has just informed him she has cheated on him before attending a party. The party draws him into a situation where, not only is his life threatened, but the life of his family and the security of his marriage hang in the balance

Take stock in the timing of all of these films and you will undoubtedly come to the conclusion that Far and Away follows their rich romantic side and brings out the best in both the actor and the actress. All three movies are good, but this one has a rich element of two people who are comfortable with each other on and off screen.

 This article is copyright to lynnechandler on hubpages 2009.