Vanilla Sky (2001)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Jeff "

  
  Vanilla Sky is a very interesting and somewhat bizarre film. I saw this when it first came out and thought it was a good film with some good performances. Tom Cruise is good here, and the rest of the cast are good as well. Cameron Crowe who directed Almost Famous and Elizabethtown… More
  Vanilla Sky is a very interesting and somewhat bizarre film. I saw this when it first came out and thought it was a good film with some good performances. Tom Cruise is good here, and the rest of the cast are good as well. Cameron Crowe who directed Almost Famous and Elizabethtown directs this film, and though this isn't a perfect film, it definitely isn't a bad one. Cameron Crowe is an underrated director and Vanilla Sky is another good effort from him. Though not his best, Vanilla Sky is a very good film that is engaging, and like I said, pretty bizarre. If you enjoy Cameron Crowe, you'll most likely enjoy this. Vanilla Sky is different, but it's still has enough good things about it to make it a viewable film. I thought that Tom Cruise was pretty good in his role and most of the cast were good as well. Vanilla Sky is underrated, and though it's not a perfect film, it still has lots of interesting bits for the viewer to enjoy. I very much enjoyed this film, and thought that the bizarre story was good, and that Cameron Crowe delivered yet another good flick. I think Cameron Crowe is a very underrated director. Vanilla Sky is not the directors strongest effort, but for the most part, it's a film worth watching. The cast makes this a worthwhile film to watch, and though it's not a great film; this is a unique viewing experience.

• Lucas M

  
  Interesting film, but fully unnecessary remake.

• Christopher A

  
  Bizarre. Intriguing. Confusing. Intense. Vanilla sky could be described as any of these and for me was a huge succes. Well filmed and good direction we are treated with a standout performance by Tom Cruise as he plays David Aames, a playboy executive type who's world begins to… More
  Bizarre. Intriguing. Confusing. Intense. Vanilla sky could be described as any of these and for me was a huge succes. Well filmed and good direction we are treated with a standout performance by Tom Cruise as he plays David Aames, a playboy executive type who's world begins to merge dream and reality. We've all had a dream that felt so real it was hard to tell the difference until you woke up, well Vanilla Sky explores that and tips it on its head. The scenes with Kurt Russell interrogating a locked up Aames are intense as we witness the flashbacks that lead up to someone dying, perhaps a murder. Trippy, good fun and possibly Tom Cruise's best film of the last 10 years. "Even in the future, the sweet is never as sweet without the sour. "

• xGary X

  
  The young head of a multi-million dollar publishing empire is almost killed by a suicidal stalker and during the process of putting his life back together, it seems to become a strange blurring of fact and fiction. The dreams vs reality format draws inevitable comparisons with the… More
  The young head of a multi-million dollar publishing empire is almost killed by a suicidal stalker and during the process of putting his life back together, it seems to become a strange blurring of fact and fiction. The dreams vs reality format draws inevitable comparisons with the likes of Total Recall and Inception and the moment the breezy romance gives way to the alternate scenario of a masked Cruise awaiting trial for murder the story becomes very intriguing. He actually gives a decent lead performance (although it is, as ever, impossible not to think of wacky pseudo religions and dwarfism every time you look at him), Jason Lee does his usual quirky best friend schtick and Penelope Cruz is cute as the romantic interest. But really it is Kurt Russell who makes the movie and all of the scenes that feature him are easily the best in the film. As is always the case with this kind of hokey Twilight Zone inspired story, the explanation for it all is far less interesting than the journey and the fact that Cruise's character is pretty much just a charming but vain, selfish asshole who learns no moral lesson makes the ending a little unsatisfactory. As with all Crowe's films, it does seem a case of style over substance but it's very entertaining while it lasts and made me want to look up Abre Los Ojos, the Spanish film it was based upon.

• Cynthia S

  
  Other reviewers state that this is a movie that should be viewed several times, and that it is either a love it or hate it kind of movie. I think those are accurate, but I fall into the hate camp, so I never watched it again. Truthfully, I didn't really get it the first time, and… More
  Other reviewers state that this is a movie that should be viewed several times, and that it is either a love it or hate it kind of movie. I think those are accurate, but I fall into the hate camp, so I never watched it again. Truthfully, I didn't really get it the first time, and was pretty bored by the end.

• Cassandra M

  
  Recently the BBC in UK held a poll for worst film ever, and while Titanic *won*, this came 4th. I just don't understand how anyone can dislike this movie... Vanilla Sky is a dark psychological drama about dreams, reality and 'what might have been'. Tom Cruise is Dave,… More
  Recently the BBC in UK held a poll for worst film ever, and while Titanic *won*, this came 4th. I just don't understand how anyone can dislike this movie... Vanilla Sky is a dark psychological drama about dreams, reality and 'what might have been'. Tom Cruise is Dave, a yuppie who has it all. He has a 51% stake in his father's company, therefore the majority shareholder, and constantly finds himself in a battle to main his control over the '7 dwarves' who make up the rest of the board. His personal life is a mess, with a shallow relationship with Julie (Cameron Diaz) the closest he gets to love, while his best friend Brian (Jason Lee) who adores Julie sticks by him regardless. However, on holding a birthday party he's introduced to Sofia (The perfect Penelope Cruz) and falls instantly for her. This is all very well but the plot is parallel to a side story of Dave wearing a white mask in a cell with Dr McCabe (Kurt Russell) who's accusing him of murder and wants to understand why it happened. Dave begins on a journey to make sense of his life. I admit there is a 'Hollywoody' feel to this film, and given it's a remake of a Mexican/Spanish original also featuring Penelope Cruz it's probably disappointing to purists. But only viewing this on its own terms I absolutely love this movie. It keeps you guessing, and the ending is very conclusive. It may not be to everyone's taste, but I loved it.

• Tony G

  
  Good story done bad

• Wahida K

  
  Vanilla Sky was big Joy to watch. I like the bit like that completely empty Times Square Scene. Trivia: The shooting of the scene where there is a completely-empty Times Square in New York was filmed in Times Square on November 12, 2000, in the hours before 10 a.m.. A large section… More
  Vanilla Sky was big Joy to watch. I like the bit like that completely empty Times Square Scene. Trivia: The shooting of the scene where there is a completely-empty Times Square in New York was filmed in Times Square on November 12, 2000, in the hours before 10 a.m.. A large section of blocks around Times Square was closed off while this scene was shot.

• Arash X

  
  An unforgivable inuslt

• Conner R

  
  A truly bizarre movie that is actually Cameron Crowe's finest film making. It has a great visual style and definite tone. Tom Cruise was flawless and different than I've ever seen him before. The plot is really well conceived and quite nightmarish.

• Anthony L

  
  A terrible remake of Spanish film Open your eyes. Kurt Russell's performance was good but everything else in this film is awful. Cruise & Crowe are probably my least favourite director/actor partnership ever!

• Jason O

  
  I liked this movie a lot, rather unique and interesting throughout.

• Aaron N

  
  Brian: We almost died, man... And do you know what I saw? David: What? Brian: Your all life flashing in front of me... David: And how was it? Brian: Almost worth dying for... Tom Cruise is given the chance to play a rich, handsome, playboy with women problems. Not too far of a… More
  Brian: We almost died, man... And do you know what I saw? David: What? Brian: Your all life flashing in front of me... David: And how was it? Brian: Almost worth dying for... Tom Cruise is given the chance to play a rich, handsome, playboy with women problems. Not too far of a stretch. Anyway, he and Cameron Crowe reunite to make a different kind of movie. Instead of a light romantic comedy, we get a trippy, rollercoaster ride of a movie, full of interesting ways to interpret it. Describing this movie is a challenge, so I wont go into too much detail, but it involves Cruise playing David Ames, a rich boy, working as the owner in his father's former company. He meets a new girl, spends a wonderful night with her, and then a tragic event changes his life. He becomes a different person, where even his mind begins to mess with him. Its a strange sort of romance drama, with a reality warp-type twist. Sofía: I'll tell you in another life, when we are both cats. There is also a very good supporting cast that includes Penelope Cruz who has very good chemistry with Cruise and played the same role in the original version of this film, Cameron Diaz as more than a ditzy blonde, which is nice. Then we also have Kurt Russel, who just can't dial down his coolness in whatever he's in and Jason Lee in complete, hilarious sidekick mode. Dr. Curtis McCabe: My favorite Beatle was once John. Now it's... Paul. The soundtrack, like in all Crowe movies is great. It's one of my favorites, especially the song written by Paul McCartney for this movie, "Vanilla Sky." If Crowe had more experience in crafting this type of movie, it could have been even better, but it's still good. It works for me because of how different it is to see Cruise almost playing himself in a way, thrown into a wild mess of a life. It's also certainly better on repeated viewings, due to various interpretations and being able to pick up on more little moments. Edmund: There are no guarantees, but remember: Even in the future, the sweet is never as sweet without the sour.

• Alice S

  
  Although often a shot-by-shot replica of the Spanish original, <i>Abre los Ojos</i>, this film actually develops its characters. You see more of David's loaded, freewheeling lifestyle before Sofia comes into his life so his transformation has a more believable arc.… More
  Although often a shot-by-shot replica of the Spanish original, <i>Abre los Ojos</i>, this film actually develops its characters. You see more of David's loaded, freewheeling lifestyle before Sofia comes into his life so his transformation has a more believable arc. And Sofia actually has a PERSONALITY. She's funny and quirky and loveable, not just the beautiful goddess put on a pedestal as in the original. The juxtaposition of lighthearted music to utter mania, creates a three-dimensional tone that is more romantic and ironic, not just "scary" or "devastating."

• Emile T

  
  I really loved it. I will always admire Tom Cruise. I don't care who he is or if he got only one fuckin' testicle. He acts well.

• Cassie H

  
  Pretty good and INTENSE movie!!!!!!!

• Taylor B

  
  A surprisingly intelligent and exciting movie altogether. It's a romance/thriller with a bit of science fiction thrown in. Suberb acting from Cruise and Cruz. It has a very enjoyable (maybe annoying for some) ending that will make you want to enjoy it a first time then watch it… More
  A surprisingly intelligent and exciting movie altogether. It's a romance/thriller with a bit of science fiction thrown in. Suberb acting from Cruise and Cruz. It has a very enjoyable (maybe annoying for some) ending that will make you want to enjoy it a first time then watch it again to get the full impact. Gotta be one of film's most surprising and entertaining endings.

• Dean M

  
  The storyline of this movie interweaves reality and nightmare, and a science-fiction ending that makes all that went before it feel both pretentious and preposterous. This surrealistic, overly long exercise in twisted illusion is a remake of the 1997 Spanish psychological thriller… More
  The storyline of this movie interweaves reality and nightmare, and a science-fiction ending that makes all that went before it feel both pretentious and preposterous. This surrealistic, overly long exercise in twisted illusion is a remake of the 1997 Spanish psychological thriller <i>Open Your Eyes</i>.

• Michael S

  
  You'll really like it or absolutely hate it...there's no middle ground.

• Lady D

  
  A most bizarre and intriging film by Cameron Crowe which is very unique and unpredictable and certainly benefits from multiple watchings to fit the pieces together.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings