Film Review: Collateral (2004)

At the end of the 20th century, Michael Mann had solidified his reputation as one of the greatest American filmmakers, largely due to the recognisable style that pervaded his works. However, as is often the case with many films and filmmakers, Mann's penchant for style occasionally overshadowed substance, and this was tragically the case with the 2004 thriller Collateral, which stands as one of Mann’s most overrated films.

The protagonist, played by Jamie Foxx, is Max, a Los Angeles cab driver, who dreams of earning enough money to start his own limousine service. Max is, however, very good at his job and able to deliver customers at designated spots despite city’s notorious traffic. One day he picks another customer at airport, a man (played by Tom Cruise) who calls himself Vincent, claims that he had real estate deal to close, and offer large stash of money to Max to drive him around the city over various locations. Vincent agrees before realising that Vincent is actually a hitman, hired by organised crime to take out number of potential witnesses in federal case in a single night. Max’s cab should allow Vincent to conduct his deadly mission stealthily and easily cover his tracks. Max now must all of his ingenuity not only to try to prevent Vincent’s murderous rampage but also save his own life.

Mann in this film proves his skill as an action director, with Collateral featuring a number of interesting scenes. The use of digital cameras, especially during the night scenes, creates an interesting, almost otherworldly atmosphere that fits well within Mann’s favourite technique of contrasting "cool" exteriors with protagonists’ inner struggles against the dark forces below.

However, this visual prowess is ultimately wasted on a script by Stewart Beattie that uses a premise that, while perhaps appearing great when pitched to Hollywood studios, looks ridiculous when viewers have time to think about it. Mann, unfortunately, seems enamoured by the visuals, taking a relatively slow approach that allows the audience ample opportunity to dissect the film's many flaws. As a result, Collateral looks best in the first part, as we are introduced to Max and his mysterious passenger, with the second part relying too heavily on clichés, coincidences, and a conventional ending that feels more like a Hollywood film than something grounded in reality.

On the acting front, Tom Cruise was likely delighted with the opportunity to play the villain and relishes in his role, easily overshadowing an otherwise solid Jamie Foxx. While the acting is solid, it is not enough to redeem the film from its many flaws.

Partly due to the great reverence Mann had among critics, Collateral received good reviews, and Cruise’s star power allowed for solid box office returns. However, these successes do not mean that the audience that expected a great film like Heat will not be disappointed. Ultimately, Collateral is a missed opportunity for Mann to create something truly great, and its overrated status is a testament to the power of style over substance in the world of cinema.

RATING: 5/10 (++)

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