September 17, 2000
COLLATERAL
Screenplay by Stuart Beattie, Revisions by Frank Darabont
Synopsis by Brian Aldrich
Longtime loser MAX RILKE, a victim of poor self-esteem, has been a NYC cabby for ten years, but he tells his hospitalized mother, IDA, that he owns a fleet of limos. He keeps in his possession a tattered postcard of a Caribbean beach. His sole dream is to finally escape there. One day, ANNIE FARRELL, an attractive U.S. attorney, gets into his cab and, despite their class differences, they hit it off instantly. She leaves him her card with an invitation to call her, but it is unlikely Max will have the courage to pursue her. Afterwards, talkative VINCENT gets into Max’s cab. Vincent hires Max to drive him around all night to his various appointments. While waiting for Vincent to return from his first “appointment,” Max watches in horror as a bullet-ridden body, IVAN PETROV, falls from six floors to land on the hood of his cab. Vincent turns out to be a professional hit man who has five assassinations to commit that same night for Russian mobster boss DIMITRI GUSUNOV. Upon threat of certain death, Vincent forces Max to drive him to his next four hits.
They put the corpse into the trunk. Meanwhile, Detective PHIL HELLER realizes Ivan, one of his witness in his big case against Dimitri, has been killed. When a traffic cop pulls them over, Vincent and Max narrowly escape detection. While Vincent is off killing victim #2, JOEY CICERNO, a construction boss, Max waits, tied up in the cab. A KID comes by and robs Max’s wallet and Vincent’s briefcase. Vincent returns in time to kill the kid and retrieve the wallet and briefcase. Vincent explains that such bystander killings are “collateral” and reminds Max that he could become a “collateral killing” as well. Heller’s boss, WALT MULDOON, explains the FEDS are pursuing Dimitri. Vincent takes a break from his labors and takes Max to a jazz club where they befriend DANIEL, a talented black musician full of stories. Later, Vincent kills him. Daniel was victim #3, another witness against Dimitri. Max is stunned. Vincent forces him to visit his mother in the hospital. While Vincent charms Ida, Max slips away with Vincent’s briefcase. Vincent pursues Max who throws the briefcase into the river. Vincent’s notes on his last two victims are lost. Vincent forces Max to pose as Vincent, visit Dimiti, and ask for the two identities. Summoning up all the courage he can, Max pulls off the masquerade and returns with the information. Meanwhile, Heller, Muldoon, and the Feds have listened in on their conversation and think Max is really Vincent. Also, after Max leaves Dimiti, Dimitri orders his GOONS to kill Max/Vincent after he kills victim #4, NIKOLYAI, a nightclub owner. While Vincent and Max enter the nightclub to find and kill Nikolyai, the Feds, Heller, and Dimitri’s goons enter as well. All hell breaks lose. roups fire on one another. Vincent kills Nikolyai. Heller rescues Max, but Vincent kills Heller and grabs Max. Fleeing the scene, Max purposely totals the cab. Vincent escapes; Max is arrested. Max figures out victim #5 is Annie Farrell. He escapes custody and warns Annie. Vincent chases after them, but Max saves Annie’s life by killing Vincent.
Summary Criticism: Although the characters are familiar, their drama is compelling. The script is excellently crafted with dialogue that can go from humorous to deadly at any moment.
Collateral (2004) - imdb
Collateral (2004) - wiki
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