COLLATERAL DAMAGE
US, 2002, 108 minutes, Colour.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Francesca Neri, Elias Koteas, Cliff Curtis, John Leguizamo, John Turturro.
Directed by Andrew Davis.
Collateral Damage was released after September 11, 2001. However, its release was delayed because of perceived sensitivities in American audiences concerning urban disasters.
However, the disaster is only at the beginning and is set for the presentation of Arnold Schwarzenegger as the hero of the film, a firefighter who loses his wife and child in a terrorist explosion (rather similar to the experience of Dennis Quaid in the Balkans film, Saviour). The determined fireman wants to wreak revenge on the perpetrator of the terrorist act, whom he spoke to before the explosion. By getting himself illegally into Colombia, he tries to infiltrate the camp. However, he is the victim of the prevalent experience of foreigners being abducted. The CIA, represented by Elias Koteas, also want to get him as well as to destroy the leader of the rebellion, Cliff Curtis.
There is a subplot with a woman and a boy (Francesca Neri) who save Schwarzenegger. However, she is the terrorist leader’s wife and joins him in the dramatic climax in Washington, DC.
The film is a testosterone action film, a focus on revenge – with (*or which?) questions whether the person seeking vengeance is becoming like the terrorist whom he is attacking. However, as in this kind of film, vengeance is achieved and with spectacular special effects.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is at home in this kind of role. Francesca Neri is a reputable actress on the Continent making her American debut. Cliff Curtis, the New Zealand actor, carved out for himself a career in Hollywood, especially as a villain. There are guest appearances by John Leguizamo and John Turtaro. Director Andrew Davis has made many action films as well as interesting dramas like The Package, The Fugitive, Chain Reaction and Holes.
1. The release of the film, in the aftermath of September 11, 2001? Audience sensitivities? The later release and the film in the tradition of action dramas for stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger? The film starting with disaster aspects, moving into Latin- American action? Issues of US foreign policy, especially as regards Colombia, drugs, terrorists, abductions?
2. The revenge tradition, the individual American against the enemy, CIA and terrorism, the United States and its relationship to Colombia? The world of vengeance? The special effects, action sequences, score?
3. Los Angeles, the fires, Gordy and his heroics, the transition to his gentleness with his son, the model plane, his relationship with his wife, a joyful life, the planned meeting, his parking the car, talking to the policemen, witnessing their deaths, his grief?
4. Gordy and the effect of the terrorist act, seeing the policeman, seeing his wife and child? His later memories, and seeing Claudio’s wife? The police, the agencies, his wanting answers?
5. Colombia, the situation, the bomb, the police, the mobile phone detonating the bomb, the deaths, the consequences? The senate hearing and the discussions about the agency and blocking their activities?
6. Gordy and his friends, his being briefed about entering Colombia, the voice-over describing what he had to do and the visuals of seeing him? His brash action, the attack on the bus, his saving people, the escape – and his later saving the woman and the boy?
7. The CIA, their having their own rules, following Gordy? The planned prison raid by Claudio, their wanting to cover it? Missing Gordy? The decision to attack the camp, the massacre?
8. Gordy in the town, Claudio following him, his meeting the engineer in prison, his being imprisoned himself? Their talking, the raid, breaking the bars, taking the engineer’s place? Going upriver, the contact, the work with the machines, the collaboration with the terrorists?
9. Claudio, his background, henchmen, his callous torture of the unwary guard? Orders, the cause, his being a teacher, his wife, her helping Gordy, soothing him, going back to the United States with him? Claudio and his disguise in Washington? The wife being interrogated? Her escape?
10. The build-up to the Washington climax, Claudio in disguise, the video, the interview with his wife, Gordy realising what was happening, the explosions, the confrontation, the CIA agent’s death?
11. Gordy, using his wits, the confrontation with Claudio and his wife, the discussions about death, the precision of getting vengeance only on Claudio? The precision? The bike, Claudio and his wife escaping, putting the doors down, preparing the fire, their deaths?
12. Vengeance achieved, his taking care of the boy? The audience for this kind of film, the intellectual response, the emotional response, ethical response?
