the nothing-could-go-wrong equation

Rating: 9/10 (10 August 2004)

mann+cruise+dreamworks=perfection
perfection, in some sectors of the industry, is also known as box office hit. aka nothing-could-go-wrong. this movie took this equation and put it to work as perfectly as possible. so, did anything go wrong? let's see.
Michael Mann is one of my favorite directors; his eye for human drama [notice the cut-to's to trembling hands and wide shots of multiple characters all absorbing one situation in silence] and his knack for character development [notice that his films, mostly, exceed 2 hours]are unparalleled. Collateral, though running just below 2 hours, is as Michael Mannish as it could be and more. Tom Cruise, playing a role that must've not been written for him, was really awesome. Jamie Foxx, unintentionally providing a touch of humor to Max's character, too, was awesome.
yes, the story did not offer anything new, BUT the character development was just great - done in real Michael Mann fashion - that it made you think of other people and wonder how they, too, think and ultimately live their "regular" lives. just like how Mann pried into Crowe and Pacino to pour out Jeff Wygand's and Lowell Bergman's minds and souls in The Insider, he had Cruise and Foxx act out their characters to perfection. i've never seen Foxx deliver this kind of performance - far better than his stint as Willie Beamen in Any Given Sunday. could anyone have done any better as Max? probably not. could anyone have done any better as Vincent? probably. deniro + pacino, come to mind BUT we'd be missing Cruise's debut as a villain, which he did so in convincing fashion. in fact, it is just not convincing, it leaves you wanting Cruise to get even or, at least, go on two or more killing sprees just to show off his coldbloodedness!
the cinematography was great; night-time LA, as well, was given character. Michael Mann was even able to squeeze in some of his signature nauseous arias as integral part of the drama [see The Insider, Heat + Ali].
so, did anything go wrong? I need to watch it again. but my first viewing says it's negative of any major mishap. a slickly positive 9 out of 10.