“No one follows us, or I kill myself and then her.” —Roy
Today’s quick review: Knight and Day. June Havens (Cameron Diaz) can’t believe her luck when she hits it off with Roy Miller (Tom Cruise), a kind, handsome stranger, on the flight to her sister’s wedding. But her luck takes a turn for the worse when Roy turns out to be a government agent on the run with a stolen energy device. June must decide whether to trust Roy or the enemies chasing him as she gets caught up in a globe-trotting adventure.
Knight and Day is a romantic action comedy about an ordinary woman who stumbles into a three-way conflict between a rogue agent, his former partner (Peter Sarsgaard), and a Spanish arms dealer (Jordi Molla). Knight and Day builds a light romantic comedy on a spy thriller plot as June gets swept off her feet by Roy. Fun banter, offbeat situations, and a well-matched pair of leads are enough to make the movie an enjoyable, if insubstantial, watch.
Knight and Day centers around two odd characters who complement each other well. Roy is unusually sensitive for a superspy, taking the time to take care of June even in the middle of dangerous situations. For her part, June has a bright, flexible attitude that suits the chaos around her. The chemistry between Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise forms the backbone of the movie, supporting not only their romantic arc but the story and humor as well.
Still, Knight and Day doesn’t always have a delicate touch. The spy side of the story has just enough detail to support June and Roy’s relationship but no more. Plot points that would be significant in other action movies, such as travel between locations or the details of Roy’s career, are glossed over in Knight and Day. The odd slant to June and Roy’s personalities can also make them hard to invest in, since they don’t behave like real people.
Knight and Day is a fun popcorn watch that’s worth checking out for anyone in the mood for something a bit lighter. Its story isn’t a masterpiece, its characters can be peculiar at times, and other films outclass it in terms of action and humor. But the combination of two likable leads, a charming premise, and honest enthusiasm for its material makes it a breezy experience. Those who dislike either Tom Cruise or Cameron Diaz should steer clear.
For another action comedy that drops an ordinary woman into a world of spies and danger, try Red or True Lies. For one that does the same type of thing for the adventure genre, try Romancing the Stone. For a comedy with a similarly offbeat pair of leads, try The In-Laws. For other adventures starring Tom Cruise, try Jack Reacher or the Mission: Impossible series. For a light action movie starring Cameron Diaz, try Charlie’s Angels.
6.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for charm and energy with a few rough edges.