no words describe

Rating: 10/10 (15 December 2001)

but I will try...
It's hard to discuss this film without giving anything away, so first I will present the basic ambiance, but after that my comments will in some shape or form resemble spoilers.
I ask all film lovers to appreciate Vanilla Sky for its beauty. Visually, the film is a masterpiece. Sometimes as an audience, we focus too much attention on the plot and "whether or not it will deliver," and we forget to relax and allow the imagery to dazzle us. Additionally, I would like to stress the same about the film's music. Crowe, like PT Anderson, is renowned for his film's soundtracks. Plot is so much more than a script and a cast...if a director so chooses, s/he is able to literally use music/lyrics as a tool to enrich the audience's cinematic experience (think Magnolia). [(*SPOILER!) A perfect example within the film is the climactic moment when Cruise's character David is running through the halls of the "Life Extension" building to the tune of the Beach Boys "Good Vibrations"...for some reason, it fits and the scene becomes that much more powerful. (*END SPOILER)] Crowe's talent for such techniques is not just prevalent in the film, but one of his best executions thus far. To experience Vanilla Sky simply at this level was well worth the money.
To take things way beyond perhaps where anyone needs to take them, the one to two hour (or more!) period after viewing is an experience in itself. First, the attempt to figure everything out (think Memento) is always fun if you aren't the type of person who simply becomes frustrated and angry. Second, the attempt to relate the film to society and the like can be a treat if you are so inclined. [(***SPOILER!) For example, the concept of David's vanity--did he really choose to end his "real" life because he was afraid Sophia would never love him as a disfigured man? Or was love completely absent from the situation; was it all just about vanity--Sophia never truly existed and David was simply devastated that his looks were gone? How about the concept of American/Western technology? David wanted to live the perfect life and attempted to fix his situation by turning to this new technology only to find that even *it* has its glitches. America/Western civilization is renowned for its high tech gadgets and inventions...only to attempt to cover up our 'disfigurements' of poverty, crime, drug problem, etc.(*END SPOILER)] It's an age-old tale, and perhaps these are realms most movie-goers could care less about exploring, but when a film encourages its audience to think outside the box...tell me what is so "disappointing" about that?
10/10 for the visual and auditory experience 10/10 for stimulating that stuff up there we call 'the mind'
And please, PLEASE do not sit in the theatre waiting for the film to deliver. Relax and enjoy--this is entertainment's true purpose, is it not?