A mind warping experience

Rating: 9/10 (23 August 2002)

Cameron Crowe's dark remake of Alejandro Amenabar's 1997 Spanish film, `Abre los ojos' (also starring Penelope Cruz) is a mind warping experience. Welcome to a world where dreams and reality are seamlessly interwoven, so it is impossible for the characters, the viewers and maybe even Crowe to tell where one ends and the other begins. This will be a frustrating film for anyone who hopes to make sense of it. To enjoy it one must relax and allow oneself to be mentally flagellated for two plus hours.
Like all lady or tiger stories, the film will generate great debates among the intelligentsia about which parts of the story are real and which are the dreams. However, for the majority the response will be, `Huh?' Crowe keeps us guessing until the very last frame at which point he throws us the final curve and abruptly ends the film. In the featurette that comes with the DVD, it is clear the Crowe is relishing his role as tantalizer, taking great pains to make each scene as ambiguous as possible to keep it open to multiple interpretations. That's what makes the film fun, if you like that sort of thing. Personally, I like closure, but I can appreciate Crowe's deliciously evil intentions.
As is always the case with Cameron Crowe, the presentation is innovative and visually interesting. Crowe has a terrific and unique way of crafting his films that is very engaging. In this film, he purposely avoids defining his characters, preferring to keep their motivations abstruse. For him to maintain the vagueness, it is important that we remain confused about the characters' personalities. In this regard, he succeeds spectacularly. The film is a bit too long and bogs down slightly in the middle, but just when we are about to get bored, Crowe throws us another brain bender to keep it interesting.
Kudos go to the makeup department in the creation of Tom Cruise's facial disfigurement, which is realistically hideous and effective.
The acting ranges from good to great. This is a particularly difficult film for actors since the characters are meant to remain indistinct. It is hard to render a character when the director demands that his/her motivations and personality keep changing, but the cast adapts beautifully. Tom Cruise is powerful and tortured as Aames, the convoluted protagonist. Since the entire film is essentially shot from his perspective, it is important that we share his bewilderment and consternation, which means he must project those emotions onto us. This he does with extraordinary effect, delivering a gut wrenching performance that takes him (and us) to the brink of insanity.
Penelope Cruz is excellent as his sexy and supportive love interest. But Cruz is eclipsed by Cameron Diaz, who steals the show with minimal screen time. Diaz swings from sweet and adorable to vicious and maniacal with such ease that it is frightening. Jason Lee is also good as Aames' fickle best friend and rival. Lee naturally projects a trustworthy persona, so when he turns on Aames it creates the startling effect that Crowe wants. Kurt Russell is okay as the psychologist, but this is a more cerebral role than his skills can handle. Russell is a naturally visceral performer, great in roles as the tough guy with a big heart. Here he seems a bit out of place.
This film is deviously crafted and expertly presented with deft performances by the cast. It will drive most viewers a little nuts, which is its intention. This will also mean that some people will really dislike it. I rated it 9/10. If you think you can figure it out, you're dreaming.