Vanilla Sky

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PERCY B Way better than this disparity of Critic reviews and public reviews would indicate. It is not a perfect movie but it is very good, thought provoking and beyond the normal formula movie. Yes you have to stick with it, and follow the juxtapositioning of time and circumstances, but it's worth it, if only because it's clever and certainly unique and everyone in it is very good. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/04/25 Full Review Andrea I Great movie, very introspective great soundtrack Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/02/25 Full Review Brent H The first time I watched "Vanilla Sky", I think I kinda hated it … no, I'm sure of it. One minute, Tom Cruise's character "David Aames" is a playboy magazine tycoon without a care in the world, then he's a disfigured and depressed man who wears a creepy face mask. You see? At first glance, it doesn't sound like something you'd want to invest two hours and sixteen minutes in. I just didn't get it. At the time of its release, I was in my early twenties and didn't have the kind of life experience to understand the point the film was trying to make. Or maybe it was more of a case of not wanting to take the time to fully digest the elaborate story that Director Cameron Crowe was unfolding, that, unlike many films, forces you to pay attention to the subtle details tucked away in places you may not think to look. I think many people walk away from "Vanilla Sky" feeling confused, frustrated, and/or angry because they get caught up in all the ancillary plot points. I know I did that during my first viewing. Since then, I’ve come to have a great appreciation and understanding of what the film is trying to convey. It’s why “Vanilla Sky” has gone on to be one of my all-time favorite films. The essence of what makes this film great is that, through "David Aames" and "Sofia Serrano", played by Penélope Cruz, we get to witness a genuine connection between two people in the early stages of a relationship that is based on pure romantic love. When we're introduced to Aames, it appears as if he has it all. He is a magazine tycoon with money, prestige, friends, and his pick of any woman he wants until "Sofia", the same character Penélope plays in "Abre los ojos", enters his life. In her, he feels something he's never experienced with anyone else: true love … or at least the potential for it. There's only one problem with this life-altering discovery: "Julie Gianni", played by Cameron Diaz, the woman David's been "dating", reaches her own conclusion at just how insignificant she is to him. He views "Julie" as just one of a long line of women he has bedded in life. Whatever the act may be, "Aames" never seems to take the feelings of others into account. It's his lack of self-awareness that ultimately leads to his downfall. To "David", life is very black and white. It isn't until "Sophie" enters his consciousness that we see traces of his selfishness and self-centeredness fade into the areas of gray in life. Sadly, by this point, the narcissistic nature of his character has corrupted his chance at embracing the prospect of the sincere human connection we all long for in life. What Cameron Crowe excels at, not only in Vanilla Sky but just about all of his films, is allowing his musical choices to serve as unscripted characters. There are times when the dialogue in a scene ends just as the lyrics from an underlying song pick up where the words from the characters left off. He's masterful at using specific musical compositions to supplement the mood for a scene. The arrangements he selects are never arbitrary. He uses specific lyrics to fill in the gaps or set the tone. The best example of this comes after "David", who finally begins to understand what an authentic relationship feels like after spending a night with "Sofia", finds "Julie" waiting (stalking) him outside Sofia's apartment. As David leaves Sofia's apartment, the opening notes from Jeff Buckley's "Last Goodbye" begin to play and act as an extension of where the scene between David and Sofia ended. Essentially, given what comes next, that moment is their last goodbye. Although David does see Sofia again, it's in a deformed state. Buckley's lyrics serve as poetic foreshadowing: "kiss me out of desire, babe, and not consolation". The music Crowe uses in the various scenes in this film acts as if its purpose is to serve as supplementary characters. The melancholy feelings that "Ladies and Gentlemen, We Are Floating in Space" by Spiritualized evoke during the vigil scene are tangible enough that we, as the audience, are left mourning the life of a man left unfulfilled. And then there's Radiohead's "Everything In Its Right Place," which sets the tone at the very beginning and, in its subtle way, introduces the theme of embracing the sweet and sour that life often brings to truly appreciate what we have. You can't watch "Vanilla Sky" just once and enjoy it. You have to go back and pick up on the nuances that are littered throughout the film. Admittedly, there's a lot within the story that can make it frustratingly difficult to follow at times. Don't let peripheral elements distract you from the film's ultimate focus. There’s much more I could elaborate on, but if you’ve not yet watched “Vanilla Sky” or you’re thinking of watching again, go into it with some of the ideas I’ve proposed. You may come away with a different perspective on the people, places, and things in your own life. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/29/25 Full Review Mon B I see that this is a "Love it or Hate it" movie- which happens sometimes- I'm in the Love it camp- because I don't think I've ever seen a more romantic pair up ever- Tom Cruise and Penelope Cruz really sizzled together- it made this movie all the more painful watching their journey- maybe it's like 15 or 20 minutes too long- but whatever, it's a great story, adventourous, and one of Tom Cruise's best movies- he really gives it his all here. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/22/25 Full Review Michael A Took 24 years to finally get this movie. This movie was way ahead of its time. A dream like, or nightmare, mix of metaphysical materialism, dystopia, consciencnessous upload, attachment philosophy, etc. It really makes you wonder what you are, who you are... the two Selves of the individual. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/19/25 Full Review bahamin l I just watched this movie in 2025 — man, it’s the kind of film that grabs your soul and doesn’t let go. I couldn’t feel normal for hours after it ended; it totally messed with my head. Honestly, the ratings it got don’t do it justice at all. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/13/25 Full Review Read all reviews

Vanilla Sky

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