Good brain food

Rating: 7/10 (22 May 2006)

Tom Cruise gets on my nerves with his preachy self, but that doesn't take away from the fact that he is a pretty good actor and in this film he shines. Have not seen the Spanish film "Open Your Eyes" of which this is a remake, but this one was good enough for me to want to see it as well. Is it a love story? Not really, a sci-fi? Not really, a drama? kinda sorta, but really it's all of the above and shouldn't be categorized.
The story although seemingly convoluted at first, stretches your mind and starts to make more sense as you realize Cruises' affliction is causing him some heavy head trips. Cruise holds his own as the central character carrying quite an acting burden as a self centered but likable rich boy, a total victim of circumstance, and a love smitten puppy to the amazingly attractive Penelope Cruz.
Cameron Diaz has always been a favorite of mine: expressive and playful with an edge, and here she excels in the role. Penelope Cruz actually is her perfect antithesis: secure, natural, grounded, and utterly irresistible, which gives her enough power to convince us that even studly Tom Cruise had met his match.
Enough said, can't say too much, but the story concept is very interesting and although at first I probably wouldn't have rented this film even upon recommendation, I am glad that I experienced it. Don't let anyone explain the concept. Let it reveal itself to you.