For the sake of argument, let's say you're right but my point wasn't that Cruise was (or wasn't) the best man for those parts or that he's an amazing actor. It was that, as an actor, he's shown that he is capable of playing more than just 'Tom Cruise- perpetually grinning movie star'.
I'd agree with that on some of his work (especially when he first became a star) but his performances in Born On The Fourth Of July, Magnolia or Eyes Wide Shut show that he is capable of more than just smiling and putting on the public Tom Cruise persona.
Isn't the discussion of religion supposed to be verboten here? I'm no fan of Scientology but it means something to someone so it should be treated as much off-limits as Christianity or Judaism or Islam, etc. is.