Yin, Yang, and I Ching

Rating: 10/10 (29 August 2004)

Collateral is part action thriller and part high concept, existentialist psychological drama. As a thriller, it works okay but for me the best parts are when they are sitting around in the taxi talking. This is one of the rare films where someone put a lot of thought into the script before turning it into a film. Who would of thought that Stuart Beattie, who wrote one of the Mummy scripts, could actually write an intelligent (dare I say intellectual) script?
Vincent is the epitome of evil but he justifies himself to Max and in some regards, he is right. Vincent might be evil but he is a doer. Max is a dreamer. Max is always trying to do the right thing but given a choice, he would just as well keep things the way they are. Max needs everything to be perfect while Vincent likes to improvise. Because they are opposites, they need each other. Neither man seems to have much intimacy in their life and they seem intent on trying to convince the other on the legitimacy of their views.
Upon first viewing, you are caught up in the thriller part of the story and it's hard to notice the nuances and symbolism. On subsequent viewings you can pay more attention to the psychological details and surreal elements. For instance, at one point Max actually becomes Vincent. In several parts of the film, Vincent is helping Max and acts as sort of a malevolent benefactor. It is at these levels of the film that make it so special. The film also has some genuinely funny moments; it does not take itself too seriously.
Los Angeles late at night is an eerie, seductive and beautiful place and the filmmakers capture it well. The action parts are adequate but it is the quiet passages that make this film special. The acting, script, photography, music, and directing are all first rate. It works well as a thriller but is even better as a psychological drama. I consider this an instant classic. 10/10.