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In the 1986 American action drama film "Top Gun," Meg Ryan portrays Carole Bradshaw, a United States Navy flight instructor and the love interest of the protagonist, Lieutenant Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, played by Tom Cruise. Carole serves as a pivotal character, providing emotional support and grounding for Maverick amidst the high-stakes world of naval aviation, and their relationship forms a central thread in the film's narrative.