Collateral: Tom Cruise’s Vincent Is Still Haunting 20 Years Later

As a film enthusiast with over three decades of watching movies under my belt, I must say that Tom Cruise’s performance in Collateral is nothing short of remarkable. The character of Vincent, a cold-blooded assassin, is a far cry from the charming heroes we are accustomed to seeing Cruise play. However, it is this departure from his comfort zone that makes Cruise’s portrayal of Vincent all the more impressive.

Tom Cruise is generally known for playing heroic characters rather than villains throughout his career. From action films like Top Gun and Mission: Impossible to dramas such as War of the Worlds, he’s often cast in leading roles that showcase his heroic side. However, he has also tackled morally complex characters in movies like Eyes Wide Shut, Born on the Fourth of July, Magnolia, and Minority Report. Even his portrayal of Lestat, the violent vampire in Interview with the Vampire, leans towards antihero rather than full-blown villain. Similarly, Les Grossman from Tropic Thunder is a swearing, balding producer who lacks moral guidance, but he’s more of a corporate troublemaker than a true villain.

After more than twenty years, Tom Cruise finally ventured across the Atlantic Ocean, delivering arguably his most subtle performance yet. Following a series of blockbuster hits, Cruise joined forces with iconic director Michael Mann for the suspenseful movie Collateral. In this film, he played Vincent, a remorseless assassin who compelled Jamie Foxx’s character, Max, a struggling taxi driver in Los Angeles, to chauffeur him to different destinations throughout the city.

Clad in an impeccable suit and boasting silvered hair, Vincent embodies malevolence. Roaming the world, he ruthlessly hunts down his prey, acting without remorse. He masks his guilt with a hollow philosophy that feigns nihilism. Essentially, he’s like the embodiment of evil, emerging from the shadows to claim his victims, savoring each chance to showcase his formidable might.

In this role, Cruise becomes completely immersed, hiding his usual charming demeanor behind a tough, stoic mask that softens over time as he begins to see Max as something more than just another target. Over a period, Vincent undergoes a transformation and displays a glimmer of humanity before meeting his end.

Initially encountering Vincent, one might observe that he appears scarcely human. His dialogue seems contrived and mechanical, suggesting an effort to mimic normal conversation rather than express genuine thoughts. He seems to imitate typical behaviors of people, repeating phrases that could have been used on past victims. His words appear more like a pre-scripted corporate slogan, intended to mask any feelings of guilt. Given the general disconnect and misery in society, it’s easy for him to justify taking a few lives.

In the end, Vincent convinces Max, a taxi driver, to take him around for the evening by offering him a large amount of money. Initially hesitant, Max agrees, so caught up in the allure of money that he fails to notice the unusual nature of the situation until it becomes an issue, causing trouble on the hood of his vehicle.

“Look, I ain’t the one who pulled the trigger, it was those bullets and that fall that did him in. I mean, I didn’t exactly shed a tear over the guy, he was just another weak link in my book. When we stepped out of that building, I was more focused on keeping our cover than checking up on Max. Heck, even when I ordered him around, helping me with some shady stuff like covering up bodies and feeding lies to cops, it wasn’t personal, just business.” – Vincent, the gaming avatar.

In an impressive moment, Vincent confronts Max’s superior, a situation that unexpectedly reveals his compassionate side. Despite being capable of cold-blooded killings without regret, he can’t tolerate seeing another person mistreated. This unusual trait adds depth to his character, and Cruise skillfully portrays the brief instant when Vincent looks at Max with empathy before leaving the vehicle.

In the end, Vincent discovers a gang snatching his briefcase in the cab he had earlier used. Here, we witness the merciless side of our assassin as he swiftly shoots down the two perpetrators without a moment’s pause. Tom Cruise dedicated himself to perfecting the portrayal of Vincent, making his actions seem like a natural extension of the character.

In usual fashion, Cruise’s diligence and commitment yield significant results, most notably during the legendary club shootout scene that has since become iconic. This sequence, bathed in Mann’s unique neon glow, provides Vincent an opportunity to showcase his exceptional professionalism and remarkable abilities. Interestingly, Mann adds another layer by granting the antagonist a heroic instant, enabling him to rescue Max while exchanging a knowing glance with him.

As a devoted fan, I must say that for the scene to truly captivate me, I need to wholeheartedly embrace Cruise’s character. Luckily, this talented actor steps up to the plate, creating a chilling yet strangely endearing assassin, vibrant enough to cheer for.

In the movie, an impactful moment occurs earlier than expected as Vincent temporarily pauses his task to attend to Max’s ailing mother. When Vincent, who typically keeps his distance, is unexpectedly warmed by the old woman’s praise, there’s a heartfelt pause. This scene offers a glimpse into Vincent’s ordinary side, and he gently scolds Max for not appreciating these moments more. Beneath the cold exterior, we start to see glimpses of Vincent’s genuine character, though Cruise never fully reveals it all; instead, he subtly hints at Vincent’s true self.

The best scene in the entire film features Vincent and Max verbally tearing each other apart. Max, for his part, hits a nerve when he asks Vincent a simple question: what drives you? Vincent explains that life is meaningless, using Max as the ultimate example of unfulfilled potential. “What the fuck are you still doing driving a cab,” he snaps, noting that Max will never call the girl he met in the opening scene and will likely never achieve his dreams of owning a limo company. In truth, both men are full of shit, but it’s this clash of ideologies that makes Collateral such a thrilling cinematic experience.

In due course, Max’s intense confrontation unfolds when he learns that the woman from the initial scene, portrayed by Jada Pinkett Smith, is Vincent’s ultimate target. Fueled by a renewed determination, Max hastens to rescue her, while Vincent follows close behind, his intentions less clear than previously.

In his last moments, Vincent is no longer an indomitable force but rather a flawed, even pitiful character who becomes lost while trying to escape domestic life. Interestingly, he finds himself in the very predicament he strived so vigorously to avoid – dying isolated on a train, where it could take hours for anyone to find him.

In the film “Collateral,” Tom Cruise portrays a character named Vincent that stands out from his other remarkable roles. Most of Cruise’s characters have depth, with complexities or flaws that resonate with audiences. However, Vincent is different; he is a cold-blooded murderer who eventually reveals a tragic side, making us secretly hope for his redemption and a peaceful escape. Despite Max being the protagonist, it’s Vincent we want to see find happiness in the end.

It’s surprising that Jamie Foxx garnered an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, despite Tom Cruise’s performance being completely overlooked. Notably, Foxx triumphed over Don Cheadle (Hotel Rwanda), Johnny Depp (Finding Neverland), Leonardo DiCaprio (The Aviator), and Clint Eastwood (Million Dollar Baby) to win the Best Actor award for Ray. In my opinion, Cruise could have been a strong contender in the Best Actor category instead of Depp, DiCaprio, or Eastwood. Although Foxx’s performance in Ray was exceptional, I believe Cruise’s performance deserved more acknowledgment than it received.

In a notable display of depth and skill, Vincent stands among Tom Cruise’s most intricate and multi-dimensional portrayals, revealing the actor’s knack for tackling complex, shadowy roles that highlight his versatility and talent. It’s regrettable that he resumed playing conventional heroic characters, as he excelled in assuming sinister personas.

2024-08-08 00:40

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