What aimed to be this Summer’s big blockbuster rom-com instead was destined to be more of this Winter’s big Blockbuster rental, and after this year passes, so will most people’s memories of this movie.
There were some pretty decent action scenes on foot and on wheel, though it’s mostly a super softcore Mission Impossible or Bond movie from the perspective of a woman swept off her feet by a debonair knight in not so shining armor. I suppose it’s a good thing that for once a guns ablazin’ couples movie is written for the females first and foremost, but it’s no Romancing the Stone or Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
What aimed to be this Summer’s big blockbuster rom-com instead was destined to be more of this Winter’s big Blockbuster rental, and after this year passes, so will most people’s memories of this movie.
There were some pretty decent action scenes on foot and on wheel, though it’s mostly a super softcore Mission Impossible or Bond movie from the perspective of a woman swept off her feet by a debonair knight in not so shining armor. I suppose it’s a good thing that for once a guns ablazin’ couples movie is written for the females first and foremost, but it’s no Romancing the Stone or Mr. & Mrs. Smith.{{page_break}}
The big problem with this movie is that the two main characters are emotionally hollow. June Havens (Cameron Diaz) has a car mechanic subplot that’s under stressed and underutilized to the point that it’s almost unnecessary that we know she loves cars. Roy Miller / Matthew Knight (Tom Cruise) has this one acting face that he should be told doesn’t really look too appealing, but he does a decent job with his decent role. You don’t care about him and only care a little about his family. After killing a plane full of his stalking assassins and downing the plane, it’s somewhat clear why June’s in immediate danger by his pursuer, but not clear why letting her get abducted anyways is the best course of action.
There’s really very little vested interest at all about whether the characters reach their goals or continue on together or not after the credits. Pretty much a by-the-book throwaway action and comedy couple movie. The item of global interest that the spies are looking for is mostly ignored and pretty forgettable, save for its inexplicable conclusion that’s all too convenient. The genius inventor (Paul Dano) of this item that they’re protecting was perfectly cast . . . but barely used at all. He had next to no dialogue, scenes brushed him off, and the movie tried its hardest to not develop him even one bit. So frustrating. Likewise, the CIA (Viola Davis) scenes felt a bit tacked on just so we never forgot about their storyline.
All of this blandness aside, there’s enough action and global travel whiplash to support the film from being outright bad. Airports, planes, rural towns, city restaurants, highway and tunnel chases, abandoned factories, tropical islands, guns and chases from rooftops to courtyards, and even train battles are the patchwork that holds everything from falling apart. There’s even a motorcycle chase scene at the end that takes place in the “Running of the Bulls” Spain event that was pretty badass, though it was over in a blink of an eye.
This movie is kind of like the chocolate chips you use to bake cookies. For something sweet to tide you over, you can just munch on those tasty morsels, but wouldn’t you rather have a whole delicious tray of cookies to nibble on all night? Knight and Day should have developed things more and reached for more instead of being just enough to get by. Truly a safe bet for two mainstream actors and Peter Sarsgaard on his supporting rule, though shame on director James Mangold and writer Patrick O’Neill for not dreaming a bit larger with their project.
As for the comedy, there are only a handful of mild giggle moments for couples to enjoy in theaters, but nothing hilarious. No dialogue was terrible, and I have to admit a few lines were superb for their realistic unrestraint with using vulgar phrases that perfectly matched the moment. The movie also gains some bonus points for good sound editing and a great soundtrack that even included a cool song made just for the film, Bond style.
