Cinema Consults: COLLATERAL

This film, which can be rentedfrom your local video store, israted on a scale of 1 to 4 caducei:

COLLATERAL

(2004): In thisvery dark crimethriller, Jamie Foxxplays Max, a cabdriver with impeccableknowledgeof traffic patternsand a penchantfor neatness whoaspires to create hisown high-end limousinecompany. The mundane routineof his life is completely destroyedthe night Vincent (Tom Cruise), aprofessional assassin, hires him forthe night to drive to five spots whereVincent intends to "conduct his business."After the first hit does not goaccording to plan, Vincent's sinisterintentions are revealed and Maxstruggles to escape from becoming anunwilling participant in the murderousplot. This scenario is intriguing,though far-fetched, and it is easy tobecome engrossed in Foxx's performance.Tom Cruise is also very entertaining,but I just don't buy him asthe lead in this film; this is JamieFoxx's movie. There is a definiteurgency to the pace of this film thatmakes it very watchable—to thepoint where I was willing to overlooksome of the holes in the story.However, for a movie that tries to tieitself together so neatly toward theend, I just felt as though there weremore questions than answers. Sowhat happens to Max the next day?I guess that is the mark of great characterdevelopment. Overall this is agood movie and can provide a coupleof hours of quality entertainment.

Rating: 3

Lisa A. Tomaszewski, managing editor

of Physician's Money Digest, is currently

working on her PhD in literature at

Drew University in New Jersey. She is

an avid fan of film and has taught a

summer film course at Fairleigh

Dickinson University. She welcomes

questions, comments, or suggestions for

future film reviews at 732-656-1140

ext 195 or ltomaszewski@mwc.com.