My theatre arts teaching career spanned over 35 years. Most of you know this. During those years, I made sure to model and share certain specific problem-solving techniques to help my students get through any disastrous fiasco. Of course, it was always their choice to accept the challenge or not. Some decisions and solutions were awesome, and others would make me want to pull my hair out by the roots while shouting, “What the hell were we thinking?” I can honestly say we all learned a ton.
I remember a stunning correction to a set that turned out totally wrong with only two days left until opening night. We had to accept the challenge and work around the clock to reinvent, remake, and repaint. Of course, it turned out perfectly, and no one in the audience knew what it took to pull it all off. Another time, I had to come up with a solution to kids being kids and tagging the hall walls, makeup areas, and classroom. I offered my top students another challenge: take ownership of the auditorium by designing and painting each wall in these backstage zones. They could create murals or unique designs, but they had to take it all seriously. I would supply any color of paint they desired, but I requested that each of the four walls in my classroom be a different shade of purple. I also had the final say, and if the work was acceptable, whoever completed the project could sign their name anywhere on their newly created wall. About a dozen students worked hard and completed this mission. My administration was really surprised when the walls were unveiled, but they loved that I paid for the supplies out of my own budget. My theatre department never had a graffiti problem again.
When Glinda got stuck in the air and could not make her entrance in THE WIZARD OF OZ, or someone randomly forgot their lines, or a bush had to be substituted for a tree in BYE BYE BIRDIE seconds before the curtain opened, my students learned how to handle what some would call impossible tasks. In a heartbeat, the show could either self-destruct or choose to find another acceptable path through whatever was presented. It was important to learn to think outside the box, be flexible, and stay in the moment. There never was time to moan and groan. Solutions had to be put into play quickly and efficiently. Then we simply moved on.
My students and I became more and more creative as the years passed. We loved taking on the impossible and making it look easy. We were innovative as we discovered and explored the unexpected. We maneuvered through the necessary steps to achieve glory. We just didn’t have a tape recorder delivered or tucked in a corner, declaring it would self-destruct while strong, staccato musical beats blasted in the background. These were moments that changed lives, whether you were a member of the audience or behind the scenes. Whenever something went haywire, I knew we could all hear that famous opening music, and then the countdown would begin for our next MISSION IMPOSSIBLE.
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE was the first of a massive franchise that would span over 25 years and introduce seven more chapters to the Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) story. Though it didn’t bring home the gold, it was a humongous box office hit. The first MI grossed over $450 million worldwide and cost only $80 million to bring to the screen. Cruise (TOP GUN, JERRY MAGUIRE) wanted to make this film because, even as a young boy, he dreamed of working with cool gadgets. He thought every kid would feel the same way. The director, Brian De Palma (CARRIE, SCARFACE, THE UNTOUCHABLES), signed on because he needed the Hollywood boost of creating a financially successful movie. Both got what they wanted. Cruise even opted to defer his $20 million salary and take movie points instead, based on the gross profit. It was a clever decision, since Cruise made a cool $70 million. MISSION IMPOSSIBLE was completed on time and under budget. Some attribute this to the fact that Cruise did all of his own stuntwork, a tradition he continued in each of the seven future MI sequels.
De Palma created a new, imaginative wave in the filmmaking scene. He enjoyed mixing in violence during the first half and then switching it up with Alfred Hitchcock’s style of storytelling. It was a unique, fresh approach to standard action-thriller movies. This became his signature style, and audiences grew to know what to expect when watching a De Palma flick. MI was the only film in the entire franchise that did not have any gun shootouts. Again, the use of fascinating gadgets made all the difference. The mask-wearing trick got its start in this script. It was the only mask that used the real thing. No CGI. De Palma pushed for at least half of the film to be shot on location in Prague. He thought it was a stunning city that needed to be utilized and brought to the screen for audiences. Prague was never the same after the MI film crew left. It was a huge boost to the city’s economy.
Cruise is a perfectionist. He would work tirelessly to make sure each shot was exciting and believable. Cruise also took on a producer’s hat. He was one of the first to accomplish this dual role. Originally, the cast of the MI TV series was supposed to make an appearance. They all bowed out with the exception of Jim Phelps. Many critics would say he was underutilized. Cruise did not always get along with every crew member. He wanted to be part of many of the behind-the-scenes situations. This would often cause some friction, but for Cruise, it was always about the vision and the final cut. The computer disc magic was real sleight-of-hand magic. The incredible train scene took six weeks to film before all parties were satisfied with the results. These bits thrilled audiences and made this movie memorable. With each new installment, fans learned to anticipate heart-pounding action. It was fast, furious, and truly mesmerizing.
The supporting ensemble was phenomenal. Who would have expected Ving Rhames as the tech geek, Luther? Casting Vanessa Redgrave in a role written for a man was a chutzpah choice. Jon Voight kept fans guessing, and Emmanuelle Béart as Claire made all of us dream we could wrap our arms around Hunt’s body too. Henry Czerny, Jean Reno, and Kristin Scott Thomas were sheer perfection. This group would carry their characters through the decades and continually keep us on our toes.
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE made audiences believe. It gave everyone space to dream and never quit, no matter what, even when someone finds themselves dangling from a ceiling with a single droplet of sweat clinging to their nose. MI strangely shared a moral compass of who is good or evil and what can happen when we find ourselves deep in the shadows and can’t see clearly. MI never fails to entertain or hold our attention, delivering rapid escapism at its finest. MISSION IMPOSSIBLE is an exceptional, double-crossing, fun classic that never gets old. I fell in love with it in 1996. I have accepted every wild escapade and insanely difficult mission since. The film made me a better thinker. I hope my students felt the same. Together, we did become invincible. Okay… Cue the music. Tap that tape recorder button. Anything is possible.
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE is available on Prime Video.