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Vanilla Sky Main Cast:
Director: Cameron Crowe Rating: 1 Star. Not worth the time. Plot Summary: David (Tom Cruise) has good looks, money and talent. He has a beautiful "casual" girlfriend Julie (Cameron Diaz) who would like to be more than casual but David has no plans to give up his carefree lifestyle. When he meets Sofia (Penelope Cruz) at one of his parties he is totally besotted by her beautiful dark looks and down-to-earth manner. The next morning he discovers that Julie has followed him to Sofia’s apartment. He takes a lift from Julie and discovers that she is totally enraged that he would “betray” her. After a struggle the car crashes leaving Julie dead and David badly disfigured… Review: There is a kind of strange dream-like quality to the film and it becomes confusing to know exactly what is happening. The peculiar story seems to contradict itself and you begin to wonder which parts are real and which are dreams and nightmares. It is a bit of a puzzle. Unfortunately the mystery and expectations begin to fade long before the puzzle is finally solved at the end. It actually becomes tiresome and the ending, which does explain what is going on, comes when all interest has drained away. The idea itself is quite clever and different but this film is a remake of the 1997 Spanish film Abre Los Ojos (meaning open your eyes) so it cannot even claim to be original! It is probably best summed up as a clever peculiar story that is badly told! It is hard to relate to the characters, especially David the main character. None of them are particularly likeable or dislikeable. Even after the accident David doesn’t seem to warrant any sympathy. Perhaps this has something to do with the confusing “dream-like” quality of the film that prevents you from getting too involved because it is unclear as to what is real and what are dreams. Even though Tom Cruise doesn’t shine it isn’t the acting that lets this film down. Of the three big names Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz and Penelope Cruz it is Cameron Diaz that comes out on top. There was also good support from Kurt Russell, Noah Taylor and Jason Lee. Penelope Cruz was already familiar with her role as she also played Sofia in the original. Lasting thought: Open your eyes! Is beauty only skin deep? Can you see behind the masks that people wear? Can you see reality? Open your eyes! Reviewed by Niall Quinn, PremierMovieReviews 2002 MAINPAGE RECENT CINEMA RELEASES RECENT VIDEO RELEASES THE ARCHIVES |