The Ultimate Backseat Driver

Rating: 8/10 (4 October 2004)

Clean-freak Max (Foxx) is an LA taxi driver dreaming of a better life. Safely enclosed within the comfort zone of his cab, he pays regular visits to his hospital-bound mother, and can rattle off ETAs like Rainman counting cards. Smooth-talking Vincent (Cruise) is in town for one night, with five stops to make. Max agrees to provide the ride, but soon discovers that his passenger is a hit-man.
'Collateral' works because of the strength of the performances of the two leads. As a silver-fox assassin in a grey suit, Cruise as Vincent shows little of the perma-grinning all-American hero type we are so accustomed to seeing him do. At times, he does strut around like 'The Terminator', but he brings a human element to a role that could, in lesser hands, have become a cumbersome cliché. (The jazz club scene especially, is a reminder of just how good an actor he is.)
But it is Foxx who truly shines as Max. His portrayal of an everyman trapped in an ever-worsening situation is genuine and brilliantly underplayed. Foxx lays claim for A-list billing in his own right, with a performance which balances heartfelt bravery and vulnerability on a knife edge. For my money, it's worthy of an Oscar.
Credit must also go to Michael Mann's portrayal of melancholic night-time Los Angeles. Brooding skylines and gloomy lighting helps accentuate 'Collateral's palpable moments of suspense.
The interactions between Max and Vincent are where the movie really comes alive. The characterisation owing much to Stuart Beattie's script, which proves there is justifiable room for humour in slick thrillers.
'Collateral's a stylish, yet fun action movie that will keep you thinking long after the credits roll. 8/10.