Director: Michael Mann
Starring: Tom Cruise, Mark Ruffalo and Jamie Foxx
‘A Captivating Thriller’
Not many actors that achieved fame several years ago are as celebrated as Mark Ruffalo. Ever since his rise to fame during the 1990’s, Ruffalo has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s detectives investigating murders, corrupt police officers or doomed lovers, Ruffalo has played many compelling characters. Arguably, Ruffalo’s greatest strength as an actor is his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors that has always has talent for stealing the show in supporting roles with limited screen-time. Even when he isn’t main focus of a film, Ruffalo has always left a bold impression. Through his capability to portray characters that are compelling, Ruffalo has created a legacy that’s lasting. Although he is best known for his famous role as Hulk in the MCU, Ruffalo has proven he can make movies in every commemorated genre. Throughout his lasting career, Ruffalo has made many memorable films that are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Ruffalo and adore all movies which he has created in his career. However, “Collateral” is definitely my favourite. Released in 2004, Michael Mann’s film offered a strong portrait of taxi drivers held hostage. Packed with captivating production, strong storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the best crime movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Mark Ruffalo, who portrays a detective that seeks to investigate murders. Ultimately, what makes “Collateral” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most crime movies, it tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. It delivers a profound message about hostages that would resonate with everyone. A powerful masterpiece about troubled taxi drivers, there are several reasons why “Collateral” is a commemorated film that is worth seeing.
Set in L.A., “Collateral” tells the story of a cab driver held hostage by a criminal in a situation which is stressful. Jamie Foxx portrays Max, a dedicated cab driver with strong commitment to doing his job. Max has always excelled at driving customers around L.A. without facing price to pay. However, Max’s life dramatically changes when he is held hostage by a hitman causing a disaster. Vincent (Tom Cruise) is a clever hitman with a strong desire to commit crimes showing commitment. As Max forms a complicated relationship with Vincent, he soon begins to question whether it’s possible for him to achieve goals with commitment. Discovering that being a taxi driver comes with a collateral price to pay, Max questions whether it is truly possible to find a successful job in the crime-ridden city of L.A.
Michael Mann is fascinated with the stories of criminals. A phenomenal filmmaker, Mann has often made engaging movies about criminals facing disaster. His iconic film “Heat” offered a powerful portrait of bank robbers committing crimes with heat. With “Collateral”, however, the filmmaker created his first hostage crime thriller. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture struggles of taxi drivers experiencing adversity but he succeeded. Using captivating cinematography, Mann captures a taxi driver seeking to battle a criminal causing adversity. Evoking Martin Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver”, Mann effectively uses point of view shots to capture tensions endured by a taxi driver. For instance, POV shots enhance the hostage scene. During this unforgettable scene, Max is held hostage by a criminal in his cab which cause adversity. Through stunning POV shots, Mann creates a portrait of taxi drivers that’s compelling. POV shots are tricky techniques to use in films. As David Fincher’s “Zodiac” suggested, point of view shots enhance serial killer movies. That being said, it works tremendously in this film. Through stunning visuals, Mann captures the tension taxi drivers are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Collateral” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Mann effectively uses locations in L.A. to capture the lives of taxi drivers facing a price to pay. Inspired by Curtis Hanson’s “L.A. Confidential”, Mann effectively uses locations in Los Angeles to capture lives of confidential taxi drivers that are stressful. For instance, the L.A. locations enhance the professional hitman scene. During this unforgettable scene, Max is first made aware of Vincent’s dangerous side as a violent criminal. Through using locations in Los Angeles, Mann honours the legacy of a city that’s compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. James Newton Howard’s commemorated music is key towards success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing burden that taxi drivers bear. Through strong production, Mann captures taxi drivers facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Collateral” is a crime film that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture the lives of taxi drivers affected by violence. Throughout the movie, Mann effectively uses silence to capture the complicated tensions faced by taxi drivers in stressful situations. For instance, the silence enhances the final murder scene. During this unforgettable scene, Max bids tearful farewell to Vincent after he becomes the victim of grim murder. Through sequences of silence, Mann creates a portrait of taxi drivers that audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in most movies. Martin Scorsese’s “Shutter Island” suggested that silence elevates films about mental hospitals. Nevertheless, it works well in this film. Through a strong screenplay, Mann captures taxi drivers facing tensions in L.A.
One admired amazing performances.
Mark Ruffalo delivers one of his best career performances as Ray Fanning. Ruffalo first earned appreciation for portraying hulking heroes in famous comic-book movies. With “Collateral”, however, he took upon his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a strong dedication seeking to investigate murders in catastrophe, but he succeeds tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Ruffalo has always excelled at playing emotional heroes facing intense pressure, and “Collateral” showcased his strength as an actor. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and commitment of a detective facing tension. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most celebrated actors working in modern-day Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Mark Ruffalo, the supporting cast is superb and also worthy of appreciation. Tom Cruise is captivating, capturing strong views of a clever hitman committing crimes that make headlines news. Jamie Foxx is fantastic, bringing a sense of authority towards a taxi driver that seeks to survive a hostage situation causing adversity. Lastly, Javier Bardem merits appreciation. As a notorious gangster, he brings an air of menace to the movie.
Finally, “Collateral” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing the lives of taxi drivers which are stressful. Unlike most movies about hitmen, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes of identity, friendship and mental health that will resonate among everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the lives of hitmen to enjoy it. It delivers a meaningful message regarding mental health which would resonate amongst everyone. Therefore, “Collateral” is a rare film about hitmen which everyone would definitely adore.
Fans of Mark Ruffalo will definitely appreciate “Collateral” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A captivating crime classic, it honours an actor that’s iconic.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking crime film about taxi drivers that are held hostage facing collateral damage, it’s a captivating reminder about a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy through his abilities to make unforgettable movies which engage audiences through a meaningful message.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 