This past week marks the US release of the new Tom Cruise / Cameron Diaz film, Knight and Day. Directed by James Mangold (3:10 to Yuma, Walk the Line), Knight and Day follows Roy Miller (Tom Cruise) as a rogue government agent on a mission to protect a young inventor and his invention. June Havens (Cameron Diaz) is on a mission to make it to her sister’s wedding when she unknowingly becomes part of Roy’s mission.
This was a film that I didn’t want to want to see. Each time I saw the trailer, my urge to see it increased until I finally relented and just accepted that it looked good. To me, it looked like it was a return to the Tom Cruise films of old as well as just a fun summer movie. Stick around while I run it down.
The Story:
The story itself follows formula, but it’s entertaining none the less. I’m still trying to figure out the connection to the “Day” part of the title however. A good portion of the film keeps you guessing on if Roy Miller is an agent working on the good side, the bad side or if he’s just lost his marbles. The story is easy to follow and just unfolds as it progresses. It’s not rocket science, but it held my interest.
The Cast:
While the film did have other people aside from Cruise and Diaz, their characters were just filler. Paul Dano plays Simon Feck, the young inventor that Cruise is charged with protecting. He’s the eccentric awkward genius with a love of Hall & Oates, but aside from that you don’t get any story to go along with his character. Peter Sarsgaard plays Fitzgerald, a fellow government agent who may or may not be the enemy.
It was great seeing Tom Cruise return to form after being away for two years. His personal life and exploits have seemed to eclipse his skills as an actor and that’s sad, because he is a good actor. He is able to pull off the action as well as the comedy and the role of Roy Miller showcases both of those talents.
I can take or leave Cameron Diaz. While I won’t go see a movie specifically for her, she doesn’t make me stay away either. She does a good job at the physical comedy, something this role called for at times and she also brings a bit of the manic crazy as well. This role wasn’t really a stretch for her, she played it well and fits in nicely.
The Film:
Full of exotic locales, and inconceivable stunts, this film was a typical summer fun film. The stunts were great, but the effects were a bit lacking. There could have been a more seamless transition between the actors and the screens, but that’s just getting nit-picky. Clocking in at 110 minutes, the film could have shaved some time off, making it a bit shorter and cutting out some unnecessary scenes in the process. It doesn’t feel so long that you’re left thinking “Oh my God, when will it end?” but the movie wouldn’t suffer if certain scenes were shortened. The action moves quickly and there’s quite a bit of it which is always fun. At least for me.
Overall I would recommend Knight and Day with the stipulation to not expect the next Oscar winner. It’s a summer popcorn movie that’s fun and entertaining but really, that’s about it. That’s ok because I didn’t expect it to be anything more. I actually had a debate with a family member who absolutely hated it. I’m still trying to see her point of view, because I’m a bit surprised she didn’t like it. On the flip side, she’s surprised that I actually liked it. If you take this movie for what it is, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Knight and Day opens in the UK on August 6th.
