Director: James Mangold
Stars: Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Viola Davis, Marc Blucas, Peter Sarsgaard
Rating: Rated PG-13 for sequences of action violence throughout, and brief strong language.
Runtime: 109 minutes
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Film

“Knight and Day”, the latest vehicle for the talented Tom Cruise is full of action, love and laughter. Not sure if it is because of his constant press as a ”judgmental couch-hopping coo-coo" (no he will never live that down!)or because folks are just Cruised out, but it is such a shame this film was not well received by viewing audiences. Maybe life in the rental lane will give "Knight and Day" another life. I picked a copy of the movie up from my local Red Box for a buck, and it was well worth the investment!

Overly trusting women who are in search of a man, might relate well to “Knight and Day’s” female lead Jude Havens. We all know one, two or a few gals like Jude who are sometimes so focused on their hunt for love, they miss or excuse a few blatant clues about a potential loves character. Of course repercussions ensue! Jude Havens (Cameron Diaz) wants a man, and feels fortunate that the last one she met, Roy Miller (Tom Cruise), is quite charming and very engaging. Too engaging.

Turns out Cruise is a rogue government agent, being hunted by the feds and Diaz is a woman who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Or was she?
Tom Cruise to decided to step outside of his usual narcissistic character repertoire and just act. That is what makes "Knight and Day" such a great movie. Cruise actually becomes a character who is funny, witty, stone cold crazy, and intelligent. He still has plenty of “see Tom
Cruise do this and do that” moments, as the film is loaded with action. Loaded! Explosions, car chases, motorcycle stunts, crashing airplanes, boats and all kinds of weapons. This is a adrenaline junkies dream, and it has plenty of romance and wit, and chuckles.



While Diaz is a strange and at time awkward choice for female lead, her presence does not hinder the Cruise chemistry from working, but it would have worked better with one thousand other actresses. With a perfect supporting cast, both the bad guys and the good gals pulls their weight and hold their own in this film. Particularly funny was Marc Blucas as Havens, friend, confidant and ex-boyfriend Rodney. A dippy firefighter and of little assistance, Rodney is too clueless to save June when she is in need of rescue.

Most Cruse films remind me of a small child screaming,
“Mommy, Mommy, see me, look at me, look at me, MOM!” In "Knight and Day" Cruise decided to act like he is sharing the film with other actors and it works. How refreshing! But is it too late? "Knight and Day" did not garner the numbers it was expected to at the box office. Probably because viewers did not know the film was directed by hit maker James Mangold, responsible for popular films like "Walk The Line", "4:10 to Yuma", and "Girl Interrupted."