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Vanilla Sky Customer Reviews (70 - 72 of 96 Reviews)

5 STARS FOR THIS BLOATED TRASH? YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING!!
The most amazing thing about this movie is finding people who are actually giving it 5 stars. I guess this just goes to show you that if you pour enough money in any misguided enterprise with flatulent ego, there are some people who are going to think it's great. Especially amazing are those who actually compare this horrible incoherent mess favorably to the original, ABRE LOS OJOS. Very depressing indeed. As depressing as watching a really ugly and annoying woman wearing a ton of make up and expensive designer clothes and parading around in a roomful of myopic and deaf people applauding her as she screeches away fit to break windows......................

One of the worst surprise endings ever
It's hard to make a surprise-ending movie that satisfies the audience. "The Sixth Sense" worked because, once the audience found out the truth, they like the movie even *more*. They said to themselves "I should have known!" and they went back to see it a second time. I felt that way watching "Jacob's Ladder" and "Fight Club."

But after seeing "Vanilla Sky," I felt confused and ripped off. First of all, half of the movie could have been cut and the story wouldn't have changed a bit. Everything with Kurt Russell was pointless; remove it and you've got the same film. Second, the explanation of what's really going on doesn't answer any questions. It's an uninteresting explanation and it raises a lot more questions than it answers.

There are other problems. The opening scene in Times Square is supposed to be amazing because it's empty. But I clearly saw a crowd held back by police barricades in the background. You'd think the director would digitally remove those people, since it ruins the whole point of the scene.

The romance between Tom Cruise and Penelope Cruz has no chemistry. When they're naked in bed together and talking, he says he wants to be the mole on her breast. It's supposed to be cute or sexy or something, but it's actually a little creepy. Penelope Cruz looks like she's waiting for the director to say CUT so she can get out from under Tom Cruise.

There are just two good things about this movie. (1) Cameron Diaz. She convincingly acts like she's crazy-in-love with Tom Cruise. Thanks to her performance, the scene in the car (which is the best moment in the film) is a shock. (2) Like every Hollywood film from the last ten years, "Vanilla Sky" has the right look --- every set is lit and designed in a slick-but-subtle way. The people behind the scenes who gave the movie it's "fake naturalism" look did a great job.

An amazing film that could have been stellar
I have watched Vanilla Sky three times now, and every time it has left me powerfully affected. It deals with many topics that interest me, particularly the study of dreams vs. reality, and the nature of relationships, and love. There is much that is very good about it, however it contains one major flaw that prevents it from being truly great.
The acting, is overall top notch. Jason Lee turns in yet again another stellar supporting role; he radiates charisma in this performance, and fits the role given perfectly. Cameron Diaz is a fine choice for Julianna, she brings an almost maniacal sense of urgency to her character that was both disturbing and complusively watchable; she simply looks amazing on film. Tom Cruise performs more than adaquetly as well, and perhaps the greatest kudos must be given to Penelope Cruz, who simply lights up the screen here. Her charisma is unmistakable, and she infuses this film with life and vibrancy. This is a film with many powerful images, be it the gorgeous vanilla skies that soar over New York within the dream, or the (SPOILER) unforgettable image of Cruise's David Aames waving farewell to his disfigured reflection in the mirror. It entices in the first viewing, draws you in irresistably, and apon further viewings still moves with great pacing, and many subtle clues and hints can be found that help the viewer understand the nature of David Aame's reality. My only real complaint is that Cameron Crowe for some inexplicable reason (though it certainly must have been because of confused test audiencies, those who this film is not intended for anyway) chose to come out at the end of the film and blatantly reveal all of the films secrets and twists; he talks to the viewer as if we were 5 years old and need him to hold our hand. This film could have been very similar in nature to, and even rivaled Lynch's masterpiece Mulholland Drive had Crowe not chosen to do so, and it is very disappointing that he did in fact choose to do so. But this aside, the film is very compelling and often powerful. I still love the questions it raises concerning love (if his love with Sofia wasnt "real", than does it still have meaning?), and the image of "I will find you in another life, when we are both cats" that so powerfully emphasizes the power that love can have, and the joy and awe surrounding that human emotion. For a similar image look in the closing chapters of the novel The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman. But i digress. This film is solid, even coming from hollywood, and with big name stars attached. I would certainly recommend it to anyone who is willing to be challenged slightly by the film they watch, and those who love to be moved.
Highly Recommended

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