This is not James Bond, and that’s a good thing. Burton, stoic and minimalist still delivered.  It’s a bit slow paced until the end. And then damn, was not expecting that ending

I did see this maybe 15-20 years ago, and now I live in the San Fernando Valley, who knew? I’m still not too clear on the prologue, but maybe one more watch? Tom Cruise has really never been better than this acting-wise. Sure, he plays a lot of action heroes but he is ACTING here. That scene with Jason Robards! Way heavy. Julianne Moore, perfect as usual. William H Macy, best line. I don’t know where to put it. I felt that.

Only from the mind of David Lynch. And with that, only he could pull off a twisted tale like this.  Dennis Hopper, sadistic, menacing, sick, and in his best role ever. Oddly, he was nominated for the Oscar not for this, but for Hoosiers.  
Laura Dern at 18 was even good back then. 
Another thought, I had no idea what the Anthrax song "Now It's Dark" was about. Now I do. 

Don't you fucking look at me.

Nearly perfect, groundbreaking, classic.