Fabulous...

Rating: 9/10 (17 September 2004)

I absolutely loved this movie. This is definitely a star making performance by Jamie Foxx. I had to wait until the end of the summer to see a movie that takes the time to do character study so we can understand our characters. It was well worth the wait. I have always been a big Tom Cruise fan and it was nice to see him trying out the bad guy role. He played the role convincingly and in a way that let you see the complexity of his character. Foxx just blew me away. He has arrived as a serious actor. No more Booty Call movies...or else he'll be selling himself short.
**SPOILERS**
I like the consistent use of themes in this movie. LA is the perfect city to play out these themes of isolation, fleeting dreams, and loss humanity. One gets the impression Vincent justifies what he does b/c he is disillusioned by the lack of humanity people show any more towards each other. How ironic how his body will be discovered. Tying into an earlier thing he said. Max's umblemished cab is sort of like a cage, a confinement, an excuse for not seeking out his dreams. He has dreams he tucks away in a sun visor that he looks at instead of a mirror where he could actually see himself and detect that he is not getting any younger.
Unlike others, I like the ending b/c of the symbolism. Vincent has been challenging Max all night to wake up and get the fires burning inside him. Because of the actions Max takes at the end to save the Prosecutor and the actions he takes against Vincent, one gets the impression he has finally arrived and will act on his dreams.
Fantastic movie that is easily one of the best pictures of the year.
9/10