Predictably, Jada Pinckett Smith must reappear, because as we know from the outset, she is to be our heroine. To prove his muster, to prove, in short, that he has now found his backbone and his balls, Fox will have to save her in a scenario that is highly unlikely and given that he had, I thought, dropped her off at her home, leaves us wondering about the whole setting of the final scene.
In the final account, Collateral isn’t a bad film by any stretch – it’s just not really a good film. If you came across it on TV, you’d probably watch it and it would be entertaining enough, and I suppose that is what it’s purpose is; to keep us entertained for an hour and half. It does the job, has a few laughs, and it is amusing to see Tom Cruise do his pseudo philosophical bullshit thing as he did so well in Magnolia, which some parts of this film actually brought to mind (just his tone, mannerisms, cock-sure way of being echoed that terrific performance).
The chemistry is good in the cast, the plot is okay, though it seems that certain details have been fudged to force the outcome – a more elegant writer would have done a better job of leading us to the same place and made it less obvious. Also, some of the more mundane details (the body landing on the car; driving around with a crashed windshield and blood on the front seat) all seem highly unlikely and more, unprofessional for a man we are to take as a serious hit man.
See it, enjoy, go with it, but don’t expect anything much, and if you’re like me, you’ll get a kick out of the whole “lone wolf” scene and the not so subtle hints at the inevitable destruction and corruption of mankind undertones all told from the point of view of a hired killer as he rides in the backseat of a cab. Ooohhhh - very deep.
Ain't Hollywood grand?
Thanks for reading.
Article comments
1 - Aaman
Fine insights, Sadi. I too, felt it was a good film, but as contrived as most other pulp put out nowadays. Of course, the superlative acting make this a must-watch in a shallow sea of crap.
2 - sadi
thanks Aaman. The film is certainly entertaining enough and i would recommend it in many ways, hokey or not. it's still a fun ride... and i'm all tired out of the end of the world, dead people trend in films these days (White Noise, The Grudge, etc etc). Life has gotten creepy enough - why the need to boost the creeped out factor? Curious.
thanks =-
sadi
3 - Unisol
Sadi,
No disrespect, but, how often did the popcorn chewing get in the way of dialogue and several key scenes that are important to the plot?
First off, the character played by Jada Pinkett Smith was, as you say, NEVER dropped off at her house. The dialogue between herself and Foxx points this out, as does the building where she is dropped off (gasp!) is a FEDERAL courthouse.
Second, it was the FIRST hit that went wrong...not the FOURTH. This is an example of Karma, which the hitman Vincent (Cruise) eludes too, saying "you have to roll with it."
Third, "why would a professional hit-man stick with the cab instead of doing XYZ?" Hmm, lets see...window crash, Max (Foxx) screams, loud noise and chatter from Vincent and his driver...all a few feet away from an apartment complex. It would seem better to just get the hell out of there and leave as little evidence behind as possible (which was why the body went in the truck, why Vincent washed most of the blood off the windshield, and why he took Max with him...because to kill him, leave them there, steal another car and change the plate...well...that leaves stuff behind for someone to find...and it takes too much time...as Vincent refers to his scedule constantly. Seems to be a VERY professional hit-man to me.
Fourth, the relationship between Max and Vincent. They are not the same. Vicent sees Max as inferior for the most part...and those moments he does see and mirror of himself in Max, he pushes it aside by insulting him. Perfect example, the Jazz club scene...Vicent really does not want to kill the Jazz player. But a job is a job...and Vicent loves his work. When Max brings up "improvisation", a term Vicent used earlier to justify something, Vincent sees his own inner self in Max...so he pushes him aside by saying, "That's funny coming from you." But Vincent relents and gives in, giving the Jazz player a possible out by answering a Jazz trivia question.
Another great example is (you fav.) the scene with Max's mother. Vicent was absolutely right about the "pattern" Max has and any changing of it. As we can see, Max's mother has a big mouth and would've probably raised hell if her son didn't come to see her. Case in point. Vicent's, which you learn if you pay attention, mother died when he was a child...around 2-4 years of age. In essence, he never had a mother...and his father was a bastard by all standards. Talking with Max's mother provides a connection, something Vicent hasn't experienced in his life...and it intrigues him and he see's Max's reaction to Vicent being near his mother and sees, first hand and very up close...the love between a mother and her son. A revelation for the hit-man i am sure.
This is also the moment, not in the nightclub (though i agree with you that this is where Max finally "HAS" to act and confront all falsity) that Max snaps and "acts", finding his backbone and balls, not becuase out of any sense of duty or fear or heroism...but out of jealousy because his mother is treating this total stranger with more kindness and tenderness and love...than she will allow herself to treat him with. Only by talking to a killer, can she finally say she is proud of him (even if the reason is false) and that she loves him. That kind of attention drives Max to actually DO something that matters, take away the list from Vincent.
Well...I think that is it. If you agree, good. If not...oh well...my two cents. The article was very well written though.
Oh yeah! Forgot! Those were coyotes that crossed the road in that scene...and they tend to travel alone...but sometimes in pairs or a pack of 3-4. Just some info.
Later.
4 - steve
this movie was great. I had a fixed opinion of jamie foxx...that he could never achieve anything past booty call..but he is actually a great actor. right after collateral...ray came out...confirmed my thoughts.
it was also nice to see tom cruise as a bad guy. I liked the story structure....liked the jazz club scene the best.....love the music...its called "pharoh's dance" by miles davis...off bitches brew...the first real fusion album....GREAT movie...Ill give it a b+
5 - sade
i liked it too in some ways, a B+ is about right... thx. for reading and also, above, thx, for the info. about coyotes. who knew?
Cheers and rock on,
sade
6 - Bob A. Booey
I don't like Jaime Foxx, but I thought this looked good when I saw the commercials way back and Tom Cruise has picked some interesting scripts the last few years. I'm going to rent this and I'll let you know if it's good.
That is all.
7 - sade
okay; obviously, my own thoughts are in the review.
cheers,
s.r.p.