Tom misinterprets 'Running with the Bulls'

Knight and Day comes as a welcome change from the generic action film in that it doesn’t take itself seriously. Boasting A-list leads Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, the film is sure to do well at the Box Office, but does not rely solely on ‘star-power’, it makes an effort at creating entertainment and it succeeds. It may just be the most fun I’ve had in a cinema seat since the days of back-row make-outs.

The premise is one which, on paper, shouldn’t work. Cruise’s character Roy Miller is a ‘secret agent’ who has discovered something (what has he discovered I hear you ask? Well, me telling will spoil no surprises as very little is revealed in a spectacular use of the MacGuffin) which he is now being chased for. He ‘accidentally on purpose’ bumps into Diaz’s June Havens at an airport, and of course, all hell breaks loose on what must be the worst flight she’s ever taken. It all sounds pretty textbook, but what makes the film work is the wit between its two leads. I never thought that the simple words “Hi June” would make me laugh so much.

The only problem here is an unusual one. Rather than relying on Tom Cruise’s charm or Cameron Diaz’s status as Hollywood’s sweetest grin, the film tries to stand independently. This wouldn’t be an issue if, instead of investing in the actors, the investment was made in characters and storyline but it isn’t. The focus is taken off of A-list actors and positioned on A-list budgets. Whilst the majority of the film’s ridiculous action sequences are made enjoyable and hilarious by the constant banter between our heroes, there are quite a few which could be easily replaced with more flirtation.

The issue isn’t that we don’t believe in the romance, but that we do believe in it. Cruise and Diaz have that effortless chemistry which is so rare in Hollywood, and yet we are not privy to Roy and June’s relationship developing. Rather the third act of the film becomes a training montage for Cameron Diaz gone badass.

The salvation from action movie scrapheap here is the fact that both actors seem aware of the ridiculousness of the film. They jump in head-first and have fun with their characters and scenarios. That is what ultimately helps us to see through the special effects and makes the film infinitely more believable than any amount of CGI ever could.

If you like your action films the way I like my Tom Cruise characters; completely insane, but effortlessly charming, then ignore the trailer and make this your action film of the summer. Knight and Day is escapism at its finest.

Ciara O’Brien.