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I've always had a passion for hitman/assassin movies and I saw this on Wednesday night. I enjoyed it far more than I thought I would, considering that I normally give anything with Tom Cruise in it a very wide berth. However, the fact that it was directed by Michael Mann was enought to convince me.
I thought Cruise was superb in this. It's the one time I've watched Tom Cruise and been convinced that he is someone else, and not just Tom Cruise acting, if you know what I mean.
There are no megabucks special effects in this film, it's a simple story of a cab driver (Jamie Foxx) who unwittingly picks up a hitman and finds himself as the getaway driver as Tom picks off a succession of names on his hitlist. The course of the action takes place during one night in LA, and although not filmed as real-time, you get a definite sense that everything is unfolding within a few short hours, and there is a real sense of urgency as the climax approaches. As the film is somewhat minimalist, the use of LA at night is so integral to the story that the locations almost become characters in their own right.
I thought the interaction between Foxx and Cruise was handled deftly, the dialogue felt realistic - despite Cruise's hitman being efficiently ruthless, you can't help being charmed by him, especially when he insists on visiting Foxx's mother in hospital. Foxx also plays a blinder, as the cab driver is forced to confront his own insecurities and finds the courage to take control of his life.
The story was a little disjointed at first, but as the film went on it started to weave seamlessly together, and although I had figured out how it was going to end, it was so well-done that I didn't care.
A thumbs-up from me, for what it's worth - what does everyone else think? |
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