Rosamund Pike Cast opposite Tom Cruise in Christopher McQuarrie's Adaptation of One Shot

August 18, 2011

By Christine Spines

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Ever since she stole scenes from Keira Knightley as the fragile and flustered Jane Bennett in Joe Wright’s 2005 adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice,” Rosamund Pike has been poised to take her place among the cadre of the British dramatic actresses (aka the Kates and Emmas) populating big Hollywood movies. Now it seems that Christopher McQuarrie took it upon himself to introduce her to mainstream American moviegoers by casting Pike opposite Tom Cruise in his big screen rendering of Lee Child‘s One Shot.

In a word (or two): We approve. Not only does Pike possess all the right stuff, both physically and ineffably, to play Helen Rodin, the defense attorney who becomes Reacher’s de facto partner in rogue justice. You’d be hard pressed to find someone more well rounded and unassailably qualified to bring the necessary strength, smarts and sex appeal to the role than this Oxford educated former Bond girl who received a slew of acting accolades for her starring turn opposite Paul Giamatti last year in “Barney’s Version.”

This was a masterstroke move that should at least temporarily mollify the book’s legions of passionate (and recently disgruntled) fans, who have unleashed a flood of digital indignation ever since Tom Cruise signed on to play the lead role. Frankly, we’re not surprised. Because Child’s series is defined by the hulking, haunted moral morass of an ex-Marine that is Jack Reacher; it’s understandable that readers might feel strongly that he should be played by an actor who embodies at least one of those qualities, particularly his menacing physicality. This unfortunately rules out the likes of Tom Cruise, Danny DeVito, Dustin Hoffman and the infinitely talented Peter Dinklage.

It’s hard to remember any discrepancies between actor and source material sparking this much outcry since Anthony Hopkins played Coleman Silk, the mixed-race protagonist of Phillip Roth’s “The Human Stain.” Though that adaptation should serve as more cautionary tale than model for “One Shot.” Though we’re dubious about the potential to suspend disbelief as Cruise clomps around in Reacher’s boat-sized boots; we remain confident in McQuarrie’s ability to deliver uniquely brain-bending and nerve-fraying filmmaking.

Okay, Reacher fans. Are any of you more inclined to hold your fire now that Pike is involved? If not, what’s it going to take to make this movie more palatable?

Tags: Anthony Hopkins, Barney's Version, Christopher McQuarrie, Lee Child, Mordecai Richler, One Shot, Phillip Roth, Rosamund Pike, The Human Stain, Tom Cruise