Susan Granger’s review of “VANILLA SKY” (Paramount Pictures)
When was the last time a movie made you think? Because this provocative story of a brief encounter and its dark consequences will have you trying to apply logic to the five basic emotions in life: hate, guilt, shame, revenge and love. Tom Cruise plays David Aames, a vain, handsome, fabulously rich womanizer, a self-centered Manhattan “Golden Boy,” who seemingly coasts through life until, one night at a party, he meets the perfect woman. That’s sensual, effervescent Sofia Serrano (Penelope Cruz), whom he later characterizes as “the last semi-guileless girl in New York.” Their instant infatuation is immediately spotted by his current sex partner, Julie Gianni (Cameron Diaz), whom Sofia calls “the saddest girl ever to hold a martini.” Distraught, Julie stalks David and picks him up outside Sofia’s apartment. Driving hysterically, she causes a horrific accident – and the aftermath is scrambled like an intricate, multi-layered jigsaw puzzle of scary, nightmarish hallucinations that trick, twist and toy with your mind. Breaking the structural mold of conventional film-making, it vacillates between dreams and reality. Adapted by writer/director Cameron Crowe from Alejandro Amenabar’s Spanish film “Abre Los Ojos,” it keeps repeating that title – “Open your eyes” – investing it with a multitude of subconscious pop culture meanings. Tom Cruise delivers his most daring, compelling performance. Cameron Diaz captures the creepy vulnerability and frightening fury of discarded love. And Penelope Cruz is enchanting; she also starred in the Spanish version. Kurt Russell and Jason Lee support them admirably. The visuals are impressive and the soundtrack is superb. On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “Vanilla Sky” is an edgy, ambiguous 8. It’s powerful, chillingly effective and bound to court controversy.
