Collateral

Links
—Overview by Chris Utley
—Review by Matthew Hill
—Trailers, Photos
—About this Film
—Spiritual Connections

As the tagline on the film’s poster states, it truly did start out like any other night. Los Angeles cabbie Max (Jamie Foxx) starts off his route with an arguing couple that irritates him. Things pick up when he meets a beautiful lawyer (Jada Pinkett Smith) who is impressed by his knowledge of the fastest way to navigate the LA streets. He ends up getting a nice tip…and her phone number.

A few seconds later, Vincent (Tom Cruise) enters Max’s cab and offers him $600 to be his personal valet for the evening. About a minute or so after dropping Vincent off at his first “appointment”, some unlucky gentleman is dropped out of a window and onto the roof of Max’s cab.

It’s going to be a long night for Max.

Michael Mann, maker of “Heat” with Pacino and DeNiro and creator of the 80’s classic cop show “Miami Vice” is at the helm of this very gritty and very entertaining chess game. Shot on Hi-Definition Digital cameras, he does a really good job capturing the grittiness of the late-night streets of Los Angeles. The real stars of the show are Cruise and Foxx. They are given great dialogue to work with and Foxx holds his own against Cruise (in his first full blown role as the bad guy). The two end up in great conversations about fate and chance and seizing opportunities as they happen. The tension of the situation already keeps the audience at the edge of their seats. The two actors together keep the tension levels high.

Mann’s previous films have also been gritty affairs, be it the crime stories of Heat, or the plight of Jeffrey Wigand’s whistle-blower in “The Insider”. He abandons the flash and dash of Hollywood and focuses more on the characters in his stories. Rarely are they one-note characters. They have tremendous depth and range. “Collateral” is no exception. Foxx could have easily played the comic foil to Cruise’s straight man (especially since Foxx’s previous acting success stems from his comedy roles). But, instead, he restrains himself and gives Max strength and texture. You’re not forced to root for Max like other action films do by killing off or kidnapping those whom the main character loves dearly. You simply root for him because he’s a good guy trapped in the wrong place at the wrong time.

In real life, many good people find themselves forced into chaotic situations. There’s actually a popular book called “When Bad Things Happen to Good People.” Like Max in this film, our character in times of peril is ultimately judged not by our guilt and shame because we failed to avoid the chaos (early in the film, Max almost lets Vincent bypass his cab for another. One wonders if he regretted his decision); but by how we handle ourselves in the midst of the chaos. The big question: do we give in to the doom and dread of the situation or do we stand on the goodness, faith and truth that are within us? As Jesus says, “…he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10: 22 - NIV)

In the end, audiences will flock to it (and rightfully so). Good performances, crackerjack action scenes and a compelling story make this a fun summer ride.

Links
—Overview by Chris Utley
—Review by Matthew Hill
—Trailers, Photos
—About this Film
—Spiritual Connections