40th Anniversary of Risky Business: Reliving Tom Cruise's Breakout Role

By Allison Rose     X Formly Known as Twitter
2 Min Read
40th Anniversary of Risky Business: Reliving Tom Cruise's Breakout Role

The year was 1983.  Ronald Reagan was President of the United States and we were in the middle of the "cold War" with Russia.  Michael Jackson's Thriller album reach the number one spot on the Billboard Charts and remained there for an unprecedented  37 weeks.  I was a teenage girl living in Suburban New Jersey, all hormones and drama. 

Actor Thomas Cruise Mapother IV had just turned 21 years old and was about to star in a "teen, sex, comedy, drama" called Risky Business.  The film was Tom Cruise's breakout role and set him on a career path that has spanned over forty years and shows no sign of slowing down.  As the film celebrates its 40th anniversary today, I am reminded of thoughts and feelings I had when I saw the movie for the first time.

While Risky Business was rated R, I somehow managed to see it.  Of course, with hormones raging, I instantly fell in love with Joel (Cruise), a sweet young man who was gorgeous and had an amazing smile.  He was also a little naive which bit him the butt (sort of) at the end of the day.

The things I remember most about the movie and what first pops into my brain when someone mentions Risky Business are two iconic scenes.  The first is when Cruise has sex with Rebecca De Mornay's character, Lana, on a public train and the second is Cruise dancing around in a long sleeved, collared shirt, socks and underwear while lip syncing to Bob Seger's "Old Time Rock & Roll".

Risky Business has become a classic movie that launched the career of a young man who has gone on to become a powerhouse in the movie business.  And that pink, button down shirt, socks and tights whities are forever burned into this teenager's memory.

Get Risky Buisness on Digital HD and watch this iconic classic today!

To celebrate the iconic film's anniversary, here is a special clip from the film.

 



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