Collateral | ||||
Michael Mann Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Jada Pinkett Smith, Mark Ruffalo, Peter Berg, Bruce McGill, Javier Bardem, Irma P. Hall, Jason Statham 2004 |
Michael Mann's atmospheric direction on display in the films "Heat" and "Manhunter" defines the urban crime thriller "Collateral," serving as a perfect backdrop for a rare villainous turn by Tom Cruise. The idea had possibilities: A cab driver becomes an innocent accessory to a series of killings when a sinister man with a murderous agenda hires him for the night. Cruise doesn't skimp on the repellence as vicious gun-for-hire Vincent, and Jamie Foxx makes up for his strained on-screen contributions to a series of dumb comedies with a textured portrayal of Max the cabbie. The film's nocturnal Los Angeles locations absolutely seethe. Yet, the net result is flawed. Vincent's assignment is explained in a slapdash way, and his methods are sometimes inexplicable; for a pro, he gets pretty sloppy. With a look, a rhythm and pithy lines that deserve an ingenious plot to suck you in and spit you out, "Collateral" shortchanges its assets. It drives on and on like Max, bumping up against implausibilities, gaps in logic, and a longwinded denouement that will challenge attention spans. Eventually, the idea that Vincent is as indestructible as the Terminator gets annoying. Mark Ruffalo is an L.A. cop on Vincent's tail, and Jada Pinkett Smith is a potential love interest for Max. And don't blink or you'll miss cameos by Oscar nominee Javier Bardem and hard-boiled British actor Jason Statham. | |||
I'm Not There / Love In The Time Of Cholera / Gone Baby Gone / Delirious / 2 Days In Paris / more... |