Finding bigger names in Hollywood than Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz would be a daunting task, and while both border on average in terms of acting talent, each can be capable if not stellar when given the right role.
The 2010 James Mangold directed adventure “Knight and Day” hits its mark by landing both of the aforementioned stars with characters seemingly designed just for them, and I really can’t envision anyone else being able to pull them off.
Calling “Knight and Day” an action movie is like calling the Atlantic Ocean a puddle. “Knight and Day” is more of a nonstop adrenaline rush in the mold of an amplified James Bond or Jason Bourne type film. While Tom Cruise could never pull off the tamed down tones of those pieces (even his “Mission Impossible” character Ethan Hunt was a borderline comic book superhero) Cruise flourishes perfectly with the over the top and humorous nature of “Knight and Day.”
Cruise plays Roy Miller (aka Matthew Knight) an ambiguous government style secret agent that is impossible to contain no matter the situation. Miller can take down scores of armed opponents in the blink of eye, with the outlandish skills of a video game character. An early scene introduces us to Miller as he commandeers an airplane, kills a handful of armed and well trained enemies, and manages to safely crash land the plane in a cornfield all without breaking a sweat.
Cruise owns the role in a way not seen since “Jerry Maguire.” His quick and comical remarks will have you in tears as he fights and thwarts an abundance of obstacles and attacks in the fashion of a cartoon character. Miller delivers comical lines in every scene. When attempting to rescue June in a crowded cafe, he slaps her in handcuffs and pretends she is a hostage. “Nobody follow us!” He yells at the crowd. “Or I kill myself and then her!” With Cruise flashing his glib and toothy smile like no one else could, its simply a perfect casting choice.
Not to be outdone is Cameron Diaz in the role of June Havens – a single and ditsy blonde who inadvertently gets caught up in Roy’s covert world. Diaz probably doesn’t have to do much acting to play a typical blonde airhead, but in “Knight and Day” she proves she is a solid comedy actress. You’ll laugh out loud as she is dragged across the world by Roy, at one point taught how to shoot a machine gun. Her backstory as the owner of an import car garage is a bit far fetched, but then again, so is the entire movie. Diaz and Cruise have a perfect chemistry together.
“Knight and Day” won’t win with its plot – Miller is being pursued by CIA agents. Paul Dano plays a nerdy inventor that has created a device that both parties want, and of course Roy and June have an obvious attraction to each other. Its obvious and simple, and serves as an assist to the high scoring performances by the two leads.
What “Knight and Day” does well is action, laughs, and more action. The fight scenes and overall hi-jinx are gratuitous, though the violence is hardly believable. It makes for a perfectly funny and enjoyable film.
by – Matt Christopher
