Tom Cruise is not a good "movie sociopath"

it takes the unstoppable killer out of science fiction

What I loved about Cruise in this film is that he wasn't a traditional creepy movie sociopath. He was a sociopath that walked among us, much like Brian Cox's brilliant interpretation of Hannibal in the earlier Michael Mann film 'Manhunter'. No surprise that 2 of the best interpretations of serial killers/sociopaths in Vincent and Lecktor come from 2 Mann projects. I thought that was the whole point of Collateral. I'm not a fan of Hopkins' Lecter by the way. I don't see how someone who was so visibly and overtly creepy as him could even co-exist with other humans before being locked up. People should know what's wrong with this guy from jump. With a character like Vincent, he appears and acts very normally on the surface, but the killer is sublimely hidden underneath.

Regarding the film, coincidence is a huge part of the film's narrative, not just the typical throwaway summer action flick where the hero gets saved every step of the way by some ridiculous happening, but Mann slyly maps out the events of the film in a way that people could actually BELIEVE things could play out this way. The film has a convincing appeal about it.

I have to disagree that Cruise wasn't a good movie sociopath in this film, although I do agree this was one of his best performances -- in fact, IMO, his best, and unlike you, I don't normally like his films.

But I am also a fan of Spacey, Hopkins, and Fiennes', so we have that in common.

I loved this film, and would be happy to watch it again.

His character was very much someone who could blend in. That is, you wouldn't take a second look at him unless he wanted you to (Hnt_dnl nailed it). And personally, I find Cruise's portrayal as Vincent more effective than the more well-known villainous performances by the aforementioned actors.

By the way, you can argue that the ending was predictable, but the rest of the movie is not as "standard" as some might think.

I think Cruise's character here was a lot more nuanced & complicated than a simple sociopath. I think he was more 'normal' but was severely traumatized at some point in his past, and then turned off a lot of his emotions. Or at least, he tried to.

I also think Cruise was phenomenal in the role.

So basically, to your post I say: Feh. Feh I say!

I liked when he tied Max to the wheel, and then spoke up for him against the evil boss, Lenny. He also encourages Max to stand up for himself. All well and good, but they added a little something: Vincent is right about to leave the cab, but stops to poke his eyes back Max. Then he gets up.

Vincent's a charming sociopath, but on this night he's coming unglued. He's a remarkably well-written character, so little wonder Cruise was attracted to the part.

He's not playing a sociopath, just a mysterious assassin. He absolutely kills it.

Cruise's performance was the only good thing about this mediocre film. Literally dragging shit actors Foxx and Ruffalo along with him.