VANILLA SKY
Released: December 14, 2001
Tom Cruise stars in and produces this stylish but uncommercially structured story about an egotistical man whose life dramatically changes and loses the ability to decipher what is real and what is not. Cameron Crowe, who directed Cruise in "Jerry Maguire", delivers his take on the 1997 spanish thriller "Abre los Ojos" (aka "Open Your Eyes"). Starring with Cruise is Penelope Cruz, who coincidentally (or not as the case seems to be) starred in the 1997 original and is right at home within the confines of the story that challeges the audience in much the same way that "Memento" did. The storytelling style is a collage of scenes from different moments in time arranged out of order, much like "Pulp Fiction" but much more confusing. Mainstream audiences who love Cruise in movies like "Mission: Impossible" or "The Firm" may feel some disappointment in "Vanilla Sky" but for those willing to jump in the deep end there are rewards. Cameron Crowe's films are labors of love, written with his personal touch. As "Vanilla Sky" is a remake of another writer's story, it is easily the least Crowe styled of his movies. Regardless, Crowe has fashioned a very risky film for American audiences. Will the typical Cruise fan enjoy it? The Cruise fan that loved "The Firm" likely will be mindfucked beyond comprehension but Cruise fans that enjoyed "Eyes Wide Shut" but desire something like that - only much, much better - should check out "Vanilla Sky". A great cast is assembled here - including Crowe vets Jason Lee, Noah Taylor (both from "Almost Famous"), Kurt Russell, Cameron Diaz, Tilda Swinton and Alicia Witt. Highly visual, go into the theatre with an open mind (open your eyes) and you'll be entertained.
146 Minutes
Paramount