Paul Thomas Anderson has apparently screened his (somewhat?) Scientology themed drama, The Master, for Tom Cruise - or a rough cut of it at least.
According to Collider via The Wrap, Anderson did it as a mark of respect for Cruise, who gave one of his best performances in the Anderson helmed Magnolia. It was a rough cut, and Cruise offered him feedback, but said feedback will apparently remain between the two - it's still in the early stages of postproduction. The film stars Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix and Amy Adams and centres on a man who creates his own religion after becoming exasperated with the human race after World War 2. There are definite similarities to the life of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, and Anderson wanted to address the issue head on before it rocked the scientology boat and the press jumped on it.
Smart move from the director. He's obviously friends with Cruise as well, so it was a noble thing to do regardless.
