Title: Vanilla Sky (2001) Original UK Release Date: 25th January 2002
Original US Release Date: 14th January 2001
UK Rating: 15
US Rating: R
Director: Cameron Crowe
Genre: Mystery/Romance
Plot: A Publisher’s life is in turmoil after a life changing and disfiguring car accident.
Mike's Review
This was a review at the request of my 200th
twitter follower @AngelBrooke1. I had never seen this
prior to viewing for the review and didn’t really know what to expect although
I had heard it was a strange film.
The
film is about David Aames (Tom Cruise) who is the head of a successful
publishing company handed down to him by his father. David is involved in a
terrible car accident and is horribly disfigured. He is seeing a shrink and
suffering from hallucinations and realistic dreams and becomes unable to tell
reality from fantasy.
As
with many Tom Cruise films he takes centre stage and the film
revolves around his character. For most of the film he is horribly disfigured
and often wears a mask.
Fortunately he is one of the few actors that can pull this off, even when you can’t see his face due to the mask he still manages to portray pain and emotion. The rest of the cast including Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Kurt Russell, Jason Lee, Noah Taylor, Timothy Spall, Michael Shannon & Tilda Swinton, are great. Cruise shines above all the other cast, but they all put in standout performances. It’s the strength of the actors that makes this film work, as when you get to the last quarter of the film you are as confused as David! If it wasn’t for the performances of the cast the confusion would be too much and would make the film fail. You realise that what you thought you were seeing and understanding isn’t there anymore. You have no idea what is real, what is staged and what is all part of David’s delusions.
Fortunately he is one of the few actors that can pull this off, even when you can’t see his face due to the mask he still manages to portray pain and emotion. The rest of the cast including Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Kurt Russell, Jason Lee, Noah Taylor, Timothy Spall, Michael Shannon & Tilda Swinton, are great. Cruise shines above all the other cast, but they all put in standout performances. It’s the strength of the actors that makes this film work, as when you get to the last quarter of the film you are as confused as David! If it wasn’t for the performances of the cast the confusion would be too much and would make the film fail. You realise that what you thought you were seeing and understanding isn’t there anymore. You have no idea what is real, what is staged and what is all part of David’s delusions.
The
film loses you like no other. Just when you think you have it all figured out
it all changes again and become lost all over again. But this is the mastery of
the film. The performances keep you entertained, and the story keeps you
guessing. The explanations are dangled in front of you but are left just out of
reach. You begin to question the parts you believed were reality, were they
real? A dream? Or a clever trick?
This
is a masterpiece of film making from the direction, clever script and filming
locations. The opening scene of Cruise running through time square complete
devoid of other life is chilling.
This
is a good film, compelling and moving. This is a Tom
Cruise
film unlike any other. Very little action and filled with pure emotion. Also
for the fans a couple of scenes with him running and what Tom
Cruise movie wouldn’t have a running scene! Tom
Cruise is a great actor, one of the all-time
greatest and in this he proves why he is one of the most highly regarded of his
time. You probably won't like this if you’re not a fan of his, but if you are you are
in for a treat.
9 out of 10
Additional Information
Trailer
Additional Information
Trailer
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