wonderful multilayered existential morality play

Rating: 10/10 (16 December 2001)

GO SEE THIS MOVIE. Cameron Crowe has done it again.
No spoilers, but Crowe does a fantastic job of weaving a multilayered existential morality play onto the screen. The visual design of the movie is breathtaking, and Tom Cruise really excels under Crowe's direction. Cameron Diaz turns in a powerhouse supporting performance, proving yet again how underrated she is as an actor.
The best thing I can say about this film is that it will probably haunt me for months and months to come. Some critic's have been knocking Crowe's use of music in the film, saying it distracts or disrupts the narrative flow. These people are what I like to call "wrong." Crowe has infused warmth and heart into this story, and the music is part of the compass the film gives you. You feel for these characters so much. It is genuinely chilling, thrilling and heart-rending throughout the story's unfolding.