"I 'ad that Tom Cruise in the back of my cab last week"...........................

Rating: 8/10 (3 July 2009)

"Strange geezer 'e was - good tipper though",pauses to flick a rude sign to a Bobby directing traffic,"coppers,bleedin' useless,all of 'em". If "Collateral" had been set in London,that might have been a reasonable summation of the plot.Fortunately it was set in the more exotic arena of Los Angeles and Michael Mann has given the plot more twists and turns than an L.A. cabbie trying to keep off the freeway during the rush-hour.Just when you think its going to be pedestrian - suddenly it surprises you. I am not generally an admirer of Mr Cruise but he has blindsided me here with a portrayal of a man who, whilst exhibiting all the signs of a sociopathic personality, is occasionally prey to human frailty.He seems almost puzzled as to where these traits are drawn from when they show themselves unexpectedly.It is a mature,assured performance. In L.A. for one night and contracted to kill five witnesses due to give evidence against a drug cartel,Mr Cruise hires a cab driven by Mr Jamie Foxx who reluctantly becomes embroiled in the action. This is an excellent,exciting,involving movie, a sort of odd couple buddy flick,cleverly plotted and well written. To be honest I didn't expect much of it,but I am happy to say my expectations were confounded.