LOS ANGELES, Nov 17 — How does a person summarise the 45-year career of Tom Cruise in a four-minute speech? “Mission impossible,” said director Alejandro Inarritu on Sunday as Hollywood celebrated the movie star with an honorary Oscar.

Inarritu, who directed Cruise in an untitled film set for release next October, introduced the Top Gun star and said his talent extended beyond the dangerous stunts he has become famous for.