Movie Review: Collateral

Collateral

There's been a good deal of hype in recent weeks about the movie Collateral, most notably the fact that perennial hero Tom Cruise plays a really bad guy in the film. A few critics have suggested that Cruise may finally win an Oscar™ for this performance. Needless to say, the lure was irresistable, and I was in a theatre to see Collateral on opening weekend. But, regardless of how good the story might be or Cruise's acting could prove, would I swallow the idea of Cruise as a contract killer?

Collateral opens on yet another routine night shift for cab driver, Max (Jamie Foxx). Max dreams of something better for himself, but in the meantime has determined to be the best driver he can be. He proves just how good he is when he picks up his next passenger, Annie (Jada Pinkett Smith) and gets her where she's going in record time. After pausing a moment to consider Annie and the flirtation the two enjoyed on their trip, his services are secured by the dapper Vincent (Tom Cruise). Although he's not supposed to hire out for a full shift, Max agrees to take Vincent everywhere he needs to go that night after he's offered $600 to do so. What Max doesn't know until a body falls on top of his taxi is that Vincent's itinerary includes killing people. Trapped by Vincent as much as knowledge he wishes he didn't have, Max is forced to continue with their agreement and must drive his fare to the next stop on the list where he knows someone else will be killed.

Vincent, as it turns out, is very good at what he does. What makes him perhaps more frightening than his job, however, is his attitude toward his vocation. As he and Max drive around Los Angeles, the two have ample time to get to know each other. Both are, in their own way, horrified by what they discover. And both, despite themselves, learn something from the other as well.

But Vincent and Max aren't the only two who are working or seeking revelation in the darkness. In fact, the Los Angeles police already know that something's going on, and one narcotics detective (Fanning, played by Mark Ruffalo) tells his boss (Peter Berg) the police have got to act. Eventually, he convinces his boss there's enough evidence to warrant talking with the head of an FBI crew (Bruce McGill) that's working on the same drug trafficking case. But the conclusions the authorities draw are just as right and wrong as some of the lessons being learned by Vincent and Max at the same time, which means that confusion on all sides only adds to the nightmare.

Collateral was shot entirely on location in Los Angeles, and almost completely after dark. As such, lights and reflections play a major role in the cinematography and overall "look" of the film. With some interesting camera techniques and sharp edits, the effect is one that's both disconcerting and utterly believable. The unease felt during some scenes is enhanced a great deal by the way in which the scene has been filmed. The storyline and script are also quite good (though the ending seemed trite which weakened the entire experience for me). The acting is largely superlative. Tom Cruise is almost as good as you've heard he is (though grey hair does nothing to tone down the fact he's an extraordinarily good looking man). Jamie Foxx is a real pleasure to watch. Who knew this stand-up comedian was an accomplished dramatic actor? Jada Pinkett Smith doesn't have a large role, but she acquits herself well. And Mark Ruffalo is good enough that I didn't recognize him until the credits rolled.

The movie is somewhat deceptive in that it starts relatively slowly. But once the action starts, it's virtually non-stop. Some critics have complained that the last half of the movie is too much, that it's almost formulaic in its suspense. That may be true, but that doesn't minimize the fact that I couldn't pull my eyes away from the screen even for a moment, or move back from the edge of my seat. And despite how I felt about the movie in entirety or about its ending, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since I left the theatre. If there's a much better recommendation for a movie than that, I'm not sure what it would be.

POLITICAL NOTES The most chilling thing about Collateral where the authorities is concerned isn't that they're trying to arrest major drug traffickers or deal with a contract killer. Instead, it's the ease with which the killer gains access to various and sundry venues. While I don't believe it was intentional on the part of the writer, I am just paranoid enough to wonder if there's not somebody out there in government who will use Collateral as an example of why security must be tightened everywhere from airports to office buildings. And that's even scarier to me than Vincent was.

FAMILY SUITABILITY Collateral is rated R for "violence and language." It is, indeed, relatively violent, and the realistic depiction of the events of the night will be far too scary for kids or sensitive adults. Collateral also isn't for fans of Tom Cruise who have some expectations of the kinds of role he'll play. This is very much a departure even from a few of the darker supporting roles he's chosen in the past, so much so that by the time you finally see his trademark smile onscreen it's far more chilling than it is attractive. But for grown-ups who like a modern suspense tale, Collateral offers some new and different perspectives as well as an intriguing story that make it well worth the price of admission.