Days of Thunder (1990)
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40% of critics liked it
(43 reviews) -
59% of users liked it
(120,368 ratings)
The Top Gun team of producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer, director Tony Scott, and superstar Tom Cruise reunite for this excursion into stock-car racing that incorporates the vroom and rumble of deafening car engines with a rehash of the same elements that worked so effectively in… More The Top Gun team of producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer, director Tony Scott, and superstar Tom Cruise reunite for this excursion into stock-car racing that incorporates the vroom and rumble of deafening car engines with a rehash of the same elements that worked so effectively in Cruise's Top Gun, The Color of Money, and Cocktail. Cruise plays stock-car driver Cole Trickle, a young fireball on the Southern stock-car circuit who has loads of talent but no conception of how to channel that talent in to racing success. When Tim Daland (Randy Quaid) commissions veteran stock-car racer Harry Hogge (Robert Duvall) to built a car and hires Cole to drive it, Harry must instill in Cole his philosophy of winning and teach him how to channel his raw talent into success -- or, as Harry puts it, "controlling something that's out of control." Cole immediately comes into conflict with the circuit's star driver, Rowdy Burns (Michael Rooker), and their hijinks on the track causes them to smash up their cars and lands them both in the hospital. Because of his injuries, Rowdy is forced to withdraw from the circuit competition. With no rival to torment, Rowdy becomes Cole's supporter and friend, while Cole revs up his motors for Dr. Claire Lewicki (Nicole Kidman), the attractive brain specialist who supervises Cole's recovery from the crackup. Cole's health is restored, and he begins to race again, chastened and hanging onto Harry's every word. Cole appears to have centered himself for success, but in an orgasmic grand finale, Cole must compete against Russ Wheeler (Cary Elwes), a dastardly driver who not only wants to see Cole defeated but permanently disabled. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Directed By
- Tony Scott
- Written By
- Robert Towne
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Romance
- In Theaters
- Jun 27, 1990 Wide
- Studio
- Paramount Home Video
Critic Reviews
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Variety Staff, Variety
Days of Thunder zigzags between exploiting Cruise's likable grin and charming vulnerability and portraying him as an emotional loser. It's an uncertain and unsatisfying mix.
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Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
There are plenty of soulless movies around. What's special about Days of Thunder is that it works overtime trying to convince you it's not one of them.
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
In 1990 the people who brought you Top Gun -- Tom Cruise, director Tony Scott, and producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer -- figured out a way to take more of your money, and it involved stock-car racing.
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, Time Out
A flashy, pre-packaged racing picture featuring stock cars and stock situations.
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Janet Maslin, New York Times
It's one thing to market a film solely on the strength of its star. It's quite another to go ahead and make the film that way.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Tom Cruise
as Cole Trickle
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Robert Duvall
as Harry Hogge
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Nicole Kidman
as Dr. Claire Lewicki
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Randy Quaid
as Tim Daland
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Michael Rooker
as Rowdy Burns
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Cary Elwes
as Russ Wheeler
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Fred Dalton Thompson
as Big John
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John C. Reilly
as Buck Bretherton
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J.C. Quinn
as Waddell
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Don Simpson
as Aldo Benedetti
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Peter Appel
as Tire Carrier Cole's Crew
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Stephen Michael Ayers
as Jack Man Cole's Crew
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Michael Burgess
as Young Doctor
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Tania Coleridge
as Russ Wheeler's Girlfriend
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Barbara Garrick
as Lauren Daland
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John Griesemer
as Len Dortort
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Margo Martindale
as Donna
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Jerry Molen
as Dr. Wilhaire
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Nick Searcy
as Highway Patrol Officer
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Mike Slattery
as Front Tire Changer Cole's Crew
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Caroline Williams
as Jennie Burns
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Donna Wilson
as Darlene
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Chris Ellis
as Harlan Hoogerhyde
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Leilani Sarelle
as Female Highway Patrol Officer
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Jim Grimshaw
as Hardee's Pit Crew Chief
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Cindi Vicino
as Nurse
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James Martin Jr.
as Field Doctor
- Donna W. Scott
