Jerome G. from LA CRESCENTA, CA Reviewed on 5/20/2014...
Tom Cruise made this piece of I rap and dated his co-star Penelope Cruz ('We both sound alike!'how cute') Yes, she actually said that...OMG
said Penny. Anyway, Cameron Crowe can't direct traffic, so why did they let him direct this hot mess? You really have to wonder. It's a remake of some Spanish movie that nobody saw except for people in Spain.Cameron Diaz, who is also half Spanish, plays Cruise's bats**t crazy girlfriend (Cameron basically playing herself) and Cruise gets to actually attempt to 'act' but in the end, all he really has to do is phone in his performance and smile. This movie runs over 2 hours (I never can get that time back! ) This film is a pretentious waste of time. Don't bother. Go watch the you-tube video of Tom jumping Oprah's couch for free!
1 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Tiffany R. from SHAWNEE, KS Reviewed on 10/7/2010...
The first time I saw this movie was in theater and I loved it. I thought it clever and the fact it kept me guessing was a bonus. When it came out I bought it, to watch again. I was very dissapointed. It wasn't nearly as good the second time around. I good first timer but past that there is nothing to keep you coming back for more.
4 of 5 member(s) found this review helpful.
Daniel A. (Daniel) from EUGENE, OR Reviewed on 2/8/2010...
Filled with a few too many drastic plot revelations. By the end, however, it takes a nice tone of cathartic surrealism. It only takes too long to get there.
4 of 6 member(s) found this review helpful.
Joshua C. (jconn) from ROME, GA Reviewed on 2/1/2010...
This was an American remake of the spectacular Spanish Film, "Abre Los Ojos" (1997). This version had an all-star cast, better cinematography than the original and, for those who speak English, a lack of subtitles. Still though, it lacked a lot of the moods that the original was able to capture through the score, the lighting, and other subtle elements.
4 of 5 member(s) found this review helpful.
Jackie G. from WACO, TX Reviewed on 9/20/2009...
I love this movie! It makes you think outside the box. I'd recommend it to anyone!
4 of 6 member(s) found this review helpful.
Suzanne B. Reviewed on 8/22/2009...
I did not think I would like this, but I actually loved this film. It totally messes with your mind as you try to decipher dream from reality. Tom Cruise is excellent in this film, as is Jason Lee ("My Name is Earl") and, of course, Penelope Cruz and Cameron Diaz. I was spellbound, from start to finish, and very sentimental about the pre-Sept. 11th Manhattan skyline and location. Keep an open mind.
3 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Jo V. (Jo) from BOISE, ID Reviewed on 3/23/2008...
If you like David Lynch movies, you'll love this. Otherwise, it's one of the dumbest movies I've ever seen.
2 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Kyle D. (kdenny01) from BRIGHTON, CO Reviewed on 2/14/2008...
A good Tom Cruise movie (is that an oxy moron, LOL) but seriously its got a good twist and idea.
2 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Movie Reviews
"Open your eyes."
Michael J. Mazza | Pittsburgh, PA USA | 12/20/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I went to see "Vanilla Sky" having very little foreknowledge about the film. What I discovered was an intriguing and consistently watchable film that is an odd blend of psychosexual thriller, crime mystery, and science fiction tale. Sound weird? It is.Cameron Crowe directs a fine cast led by Tom Cruise. Cruise plays David, a man who has inherited a publishing empire from his late father. With his wealth and good looks, David seems to be living a charmed life. But this life turns into a horrific nightmare. Also in the cast are Penelope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, and Jason Lee. Kurt Russell is particularly impressive as a psychiatrist seeking the truth behind David's ordeal.I won't give away the many bizarre twists which the plot takes. The film is surreal and disorienting. Cruise impressed me in the title role. Initially quite unlikable as the obnoxious David, Cruise ultimately brings a real depth and intensity to his performance. "Vanilla Sky" seems to be having a polarizing effect on a lot of viewers, but I found it to be a compelling film. Give it a try if you feel like something offbeat."
A Stunning Masterpiece
Eric B. Norris | Santa Clara, California USA | 03/26/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As you can see from the customer reviews bouncing between loving and hating this movie, it is not for everyone.
The first time I saw this movie in the theater I was unable to move when it was over. I was utterly stunned. I can count on one hand the times this has happened to me over a lifetime of movie viewing.
Tom Cruise plays David Aames, a rich young man who has inherited a publishing empire from his late father. Cameron Diaz is the girlfriend he really doesn't care about, and Jason Lee plays his best (and perhaps only) friend. Aames is utterly disconnected from his own life, and seems to care little about anything. One night his friend (Lee) brings an intriguing dancer (Penelope Cruz) to his birthday party. Cruise takes up with Cruz, but then experiences a waking nightmare that destroys his life. I can't reveal more of the plot without giving it away, and I suggest you NOT read any more reviews of this film and just see it--otherwise you'll deprive yourself of one incredible movie ride.
This movie is visually spectacular. There are scenes that set off the dive klaxon deep within my brain but I couldn't figure out why until much later in the film when the plot is revealed. What is this film? Science fiction? Yes, but... A psychological thriller? Yes, but... A love story? Yes, ultimately.
It's better not to categorize Vanilla Sky, and just enjoy (or not enjoy) it. I think this movie either works on you, or it doesn't. And this is probably the most polarizing movie I have ever seen. You'll either love it or hate it.
Jason Lee and Cameron Diaz give the performances of their careers. I would have said the same of Cruise, but then he uncorked Collateral. Kurt Russell has a relatively small part as Cruise's psychologist, but he nails it perfectly.
Vanilla Sky is based on Spanish filmmaker Alejandro Amenábar's Abre Los Ojos (Open Your Eyes). I liked Vanilla Sky a lot more than Abre Los Ojos, unlike most American remakes of foreign films, because it contains additional scenes and more spectacular visuals. However, an English-only speaker like me can't really make a fair comparision because there are so many subtitles to watch in Abre Los Ojos it makes it hard to watch the actors. Penelope Cruz plays the same role in both films.
The real value of this film is that it makes you think about what (and more importantly, who) is at the core of your own life, and how will you feel about how you have lived when the clock runs out?
Vanilla Sky is a rare movie--unique in plot, and made with passion and care. I can't guarantee you'll like it, but there is no other movie more worth taking a chance on."
The best film in the history of cinema!
T. Brown | houston, texas United States | 06/21/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is not coming from a random person without knowledge of the movie industry. I am a huge movie fan. I see nearly 50 movies a year in theaters, most likely more. I own nearly 1000 DVDs. With all of these movies I've seen and own, Vanilla Sky is my favorite. It contains anything any moviegoer would want-suspense, romance, action, comedy, and science fiction. Tom Cruise and Penelope Cruz have excellent chemistry. The story rapidly changes from a love story to a science fiction drama. It confuses and entertains the viewer. It make syou think and that is always admirable. Overall, I LOVE IT!"
AWESOME!!!
E. Richards | Honolulu, Hawaii United States | 06/05/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"hmm...I wonder what makes all these people say that Vanilla Sky was a horrible movie? Perhaps it's the fact that they did not or could not understand the film. I own Vanilla Sky and Abre Los Ojos (Open Your Eyes) and i must say that Vanilla Sky lived up to, and went beyond all expectations. If you've seen Abre, then I would highly recommend seeing Vanilla Sky. The acting in Abre was great, but the cinematography of Vanilla was even better. Intriguing film that will have you scratching your head until the very end. A definite MUST SEE!"
This movie changed my life
fray | canada | 09/14/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This movie is one of the most brilliant movie's ever made. When I first viewed this movie I was in Gr 11 highschool and going down the wrong path in life. This movie hammered in the moral of the story harder than any story I have ever heard. It colourfully illustrates the fact that people make choices in life that have consequences. In this case, mr cruise gets in the car with cameron's character. This choice caused him great consequences. I really related to this movie and it hit me so hard that I cried myself to sleep that night after watching it. But it was so great, it felt as though I had an epiphony. Cheesy as that may sound, its like a door in my mind had just been blown open and I knew exactly how I wanted to live my life. How I treated people, the choices I would make...it all made sense. And for that, this is my favorite movie of all time. It saved me."