Moral interrogation on a disk.

Rating: 10/10 (3 August 2007)

I got my copy of vanilla sky in China were it was sold for a rather pricey 40 English pence. Not sure of the quality of either the physical product or the movie I did not set myself up in the usual relaxed and open fashion to take on the film. Open your eyes, the film Vanilla Sky was based of can compare with VS as a more reserved and classical type of a film with some grandeur thrown in to arouse the senses. But I don't want to compare as to what is better for doing that would immediately take the films out of context, especially when I think VS deserves undivided attention and several playthroughs. Now I'll tell you why.
VS starts by taking on a more structured and visceral tone. Sound acting and the elevated emotions within characters go far to tell the story effectively. The use of NY City displayed in a modern showcase I think gives the watcher a better understanding of what is going in and the approaches used. I don't want to spoil much but I will just a little. A good looking wealthy man (Cruise) who lives a young and somewhat careless life is someone's car when they decide to drive of a bridge and kill themselves in the process. Cruise survives but his face ends up scarred and disfigured.
The story is of how his life is changed is what VS is about, or is it how change was halted? That's one question to ask as you play through. With the crash he looses things that he had taken for granted before and we are asked the question of what substance fills the emotions of life and the connection between them. "You have to have some sour to appreciate the sweet". Lines like this describe the honeycombed life that he led and how his social aspirations were what he lived off, something he can now not achieve like he used to.
There are more things to consider too. One is realisation not just of your own emotions, but those of others. The difference between reality and lucidity. The creations within our own mind. Some may watch the film and think some of the characters are shallow and formulaic, but in these cases that is precisely what they are meant to be.
In terms of emotion VS strikes many cords. There is an odd psychedelic tone mixed with Romance, discovery and wondering and sometimes shock, horror. There are shots in the film that make your heart take a leap and it takes you off your guard enough so that if you study your emotions afterwards you will see what you would be like in Cruise's place.
Technically speaking, the direction is sound and the music gives an artistic quality mixed with new tones that represent the science fiction based twist the movie possesses. Some shots are the most profound you will see in many films to come. VS is a film that is impossible to categorize and has a story that could lead several ways depending on your perception and choice to accept facts against fiction. There is a huge amount to look out for in the details that help discover the story more effectively or push the possibility towards you that the entire film is softly leading you astray. It's hard to know for sure. So watch it a few times, and each time you do, choose a different path, and different side, and see what new things you find.