Crowe succeeds at trying something new

Rating: 9/10 (16 December 2001)

Writer/Director Cameron Crowe, who gave us such touching films as "Jerry Maguire", "Say Anything", and "Almost Famous" uses his craft at making a brilliant love story and successfully combines it with a psychological thriller in "Vanilla Sky". I just saw this film yesterday, and I am still effected by its twists and turns. Crowe's direction constantly kept my attention and always had me guessing about what was going to happen next. My only complaint about the film is the ending, which dragged about 20 minutes too long and basically walked the viewer through the previous two hours of the film. Too much was explained and that took away from the surprise ending.
Tom Cruise was also exceptional in the film. He takes the hopelessness he had as a Vietnam vet in "Born on the Fourth of July", combines it with his paranoid character in "The Firm", and the smoothness of Maverick in "Top Gun", and creates an awesome dynamic character. Supporting actor Jason Lee is lovable as always as Cruise's best friend.
Overall, i give the film a 9/10.