Shooting the Breeze: Collateral
Stylish film director Michael Mann is back and he's created another masterpiece of the crime thriller genre.
His latest film, Collateral, is the latest in a list of innovative films which include the first to feature the character of Hannibal Lector (Manhunter) and the first ever pairing on screen of acting heavyweights Robert De Niro and Al Pacino (Heat) as well as notable fiolms such as Ali.
Mann is also well known for the stylish TV series Miami Vice.
Set entirely during the course of one night in Los Angeles, we are introduced to hard-working cab-driver Max (played by Jamie Foxx) who is working hard to save enough money to jump-start his plan to become a luxury limousine service.
One of his fares is a federal prosecutor called Angela (played by Jada Pinkett Smith) who is going to pull an all-nighter on her latest case. She takes a shine to Max and gives him her card.
Max's next fare is Vincent (played by Tom Cruise), a grey haired man in a grey suit carrying a briefcase. Impressed by Max's efficient manner, the smooth talking and charming Vincent offers Max $600 to drive him to several stops through the course of the night. What seemed like an ordinary night is quickly shattered when a corpse lands on top of Max's taxi at Vincent's first stop.
The stakes rise even further as Max realises that Vincent is a cold-blooded professional hitman who intends to methodically assassinate several people, set to become witnesses in a drug lord's trial, overnight using information stored on a laptop in his briefcase.
Collateral is a different kind of thriller to most you will see. Much of the tension arises from the conversations between Max and Vincent but there are a number of chilling and shocking moments throughout the film which punctuate the cab ride which illustrate Vincent's amoral attitude to what he does.
It's not all darkness, though, as there are a number of blackly comic scenes in the film which will certainly serve to break up the tension momentarily.
Director Michael Mann shot a different side of Los Angeles to that which we usually see using a cost effective digital video process which enhanced the edgy tone of the film and which brought out the neon colours of LA's nightlife.
Mann's deliberate yet edgy style continues to show less experienced directors the way to shoot moody and tense thrillers.
Mann also brings out excellent performances from his actors in a film which is heavily dialogue driven - there is little action to be seen until near the end.
Tom Cruise shows again that he can act without flashing his trademark smile and is also not afraid to pick roles which show he can take risks with his image with his role as a sociopathic hitman with a cold stare.
Jamie Foxx portrays Max as a cabbie with aspirations towards a better life but without the courage to take the step into the unknown. Cruise's Vincent shows Max a different side to life - one away from his safe zone.
Jada Pinkett Smith heads a supporting lineup of actors who help the film take a number of absorbing paths towards its finale.
Collateral takes the audience on a suspenseful trip through the undiscovered streets of LA, building up towards a (slightly anticlimatic) finale.
You should not, however, let those details spoil your enjoyment of one of the best slow-burners of the year.
