Tom Cruise just filed a $50 million lawsuit against Life & Style magazine, claiming the mag defamed him by reporting he had abandoned 6-year-old Suri.

Cruise's lawyer, Bert Fields says:

"Tom is a caring father who dearly loves Suri.  She's a vital part of his life and always will be.  To say he has 'abandoned' her is a vicious lie.  To say it in lurid headlines with a tearful picture of Suri is reprehensible."

Fields goes on:  "Tom doesn't go around suing people.  He's not a litigious guy.  But when these sleaze peddlers try to make money with disgusting lies about his relationship with his child, you bet he's going to sue."