I loved the 1986 original “Top Gun” so much. I lost track of how many times I went to see that movie.
I won’t feel the same need to see the newest incarnation, “Top Gun: Maverick,” over and over, but it was an extremely satisfying watch.
Understandably, there is a lot of enthusiastic focus on the high-adrenaline flight scenes and the technical aspects of the film. Those were fantastic, and demonstrated advancements in camerawork and filmmaking that evolved over the past three decades, not to mention the flying Tom Cruise and cast members did themselves (good articles on that here and here).
For me, however, the best scene took place wordlessly, using only the technology of a computer and its monitor.
What’s the most important thing to say?
(Note — I really don’t think what I’m about to say is a spoiler, but if you haven’t seen “Top Gun: Maverick” yet and want to have a totally pristine experience, click out now and come back to visit this post after you see the movie.)
In one of the movie’s scenes, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (played by Tom Cruise) has been summoned to the home of Admiral Tom “Iceman” Kazansky, who had been Maverick’s rival in the 1986 film.
Kazansky has terminal cancer, and his condition has made it almost impossible to speak. (Val Kilmer, who plays the role, has significant difficulty speaking due to treatment for throat cancer.)
For most of the conversation, Maverick verbalizes what he wants to say, and Kazansky responds by typing his answer, which shows up on a large computer screen.
I don’t recall the exact way Maverick asks the question, but it’s something along the lines of, “What can I do for you?” Based on the tenor of the movie to this point, and the general scene that had been set for the meeting between the two, I thought the question was the kind of inquiry someone would make with someone they’ve had an extensive history with, and an attempt to see if there was anything they could do.
In my mind, I thought Maverick expected the answer to be, “Keep my legacy alive” or “Take care of my wife and kids” or “Don’t forget what I taught you” or something like that.
The answer? “I want to talk about work.”
I don’t think that’s the answer Maverick was expecting, and my mind immediately wandered in several directions at once. I thought about all of the times I have put work first when my priority should possibly have been self-care or being present for loved ones. I thought about how difficult it is for me to not worry about work — either my performance, a workload I haven’t managed as well as I wanted to, an interaction I fumbled.
What did the question signify?
It’s possible that Kazansky’s question was the ultimate move by a leader. He was the only person with the knowledge of Maverick’s history and the insight into his team who could influence Maverick to look at the assignment he had been given differently.
Or it’s possible he was just the ultimate workaholic, unable to let go of the need to talk about work.
Regardless, the next line — “It’s time to let go” — could have applied to both men.
There was something deeply rooted that Maverick needed to release in order to lead effectively (you’ll have to watch the movie to see what that was).
Maybe Kazansky was talking to himself too, given his advanced cancer and his history of dogged pursuit of advancement.
Beyond the film
This scene wouldn’t have been as effective if it hadn’t been such a silent (literally) counterpoint to the loud, hubris-filled scenes of aviators jockeying to be Maverick’s choices to be on the team that got the final assignment. There was arrogance among Maverick’s students, along with skill, resentment, teamwork, uncertainty, fear.
Even if we don’t fly fighter jets and land them with laser precision on aircraft carriers, we all find ourselves in situations where we get caught up in emotion, perceived injustices, and tumult at work.
It’s in the quiet moments that we either need to be the person who says to another, “I want to talk about work” or be the recipient of the message.
And we all need to be aware of when “it’s time to let go.”
Wife of one, Mom of two, Friend of many. My pronouns are she/her/hers.
Balance. I think that is our most important take-away from this life!
You’re right, of course. Fictional movies aside, it must be very hard to find balance in such a risky occupation (for the person themselves and their families).
Haven’t seen the movie but that scene sounds very powerful.
I was soooooo prepared to not love it. But I was proven wrong!
A very thoughtful response to that dialogue and it made me think. I hadn’t noticed it but you are right.
Most days lately, I can barely remember what I had for breakfast. But those 11 words (“I want to talk about work” and “It’s time to let go” were burned into my memory immediately.
I wondered if I should bother to see the movie but now I know I will. And BTW, never in my imagination would I think you would be self-conscious about any element of not measuring up at work.