The “Mission: Impossible” films make us believe that our heroes, as human as they are, will always save the day. They can’t let us down. It would destroy every conviction we hold. The belief in our invisible savior, working tirelessly to defend our planet, is so sincere that it defies reason. It is a faith in a higher power.

Cruise's lone collaboration with Martin Scorsese came in this pro-pool drama — a sequel to 1961's The Hustler with Paul Newman reprising his role as "Fast Eddie" Felson, the hard-edged mentor to Cruise's cocky nine-ball whiz Vincent.