Episode 379: COLLATERAL (2004)

Episode 379: COLLATERAL (2004)

From Trylove by Trylove

April 21, 2026 · 2h 33m

About this episode

The episode discusses the film COLLATERAL, exploring its themes, characters, and the unique style of Michael Mann.

COLLATERAL is a different flavor for Michael Mann, yet it’s still familiar territory for the tortured auteur. There are enough distinct ingredients, for sure: Some mixture of Stuart Beattie’s script, a blend of film and digital aesthetics, and Tom Cruise’s real-life sociopathy resulted in a critical and commercial darling (something of a rarity in Mann’s body of film work). In this episode, Jason, Cody, and Harry recap what we’ve watched lately and then hop in the back seat on a long night’s journey through COLLATERAL ’s bristling version of Los Angeles. It’s a discussion replete with takes: On the relationship between the meek Max and the vicious Vincent; on the vices and virtues that define Michael Mann movies; and a pretty okay analysis of the coyote scene. You didn’t think we wouldn’t have an answer for that, didja? Then, as we so often do, we finish with some trivia about craft brewery offerings that have some tangent connection in name to the films of Tom Cruise. I guess that means this episode is 21+! Haha. Just joshin’. Give to these causes in need during ICE’s occupation of Minnesota: Support Minnesotans defending their communities from ICE…

People in this episode

Hosts: Jason, Cody, Harry

Topics covered

  • Michael Mann
  • film analysis
  • COLLATERAL
  • Tom Cruise
  • Los Angeles
  • trivia
  • mutual aid

Keywords

  • COLLATERAL
  • Michael Mann
  • Tom Cruise
  • film analysis
  • Los Angeles
  • trivia
  • mutual aid

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: ICE, Minnesota, sanctuarysupplydepot, mplsmutualaid, ISAIAH

Books & works: COLLATERAL

More episodes of Trylove

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Trylove podcast page.