Spooky and intriguing

Rating: 9/10 (11 June 2002)

This one kept me on the edge wondering how it would all get tied together in the end. It felt like it would leave me with a sense of awe at the solution to the puzzle. And, BOY, it did not disappoint. Although for me it tied together well, it is one of those films that allows the viewer the luxury of watching it again and seeing many more layers and possible solutions to the puzzle laid before you. The acting was great, with the possible exception of Penelope Cruz in a few scenes. (I felt she played a little too much on her foreign intrigue rather than true acting skill in a couple of spots [Just a very few spots]).
One of the players that I feel may have gotten overlooked was Cameron Diaz. She was TOTALLY believable, even when she seemed to flip from playful to deadly serious in the blink of an eye--and she did evil very well. Tom Cruise is one of the most overlooked actors in Hollywood, in my opinion. He is always solid and is much more than a pretty face. Unfortunately, he is usually surrounded by bundles of talent (Jerry Maguire, Rainman) and oftens get overlooked. This is probably his best delivery in his career as of yet. And Jason Lee holds his own. He is not over-powered by the "beautiful" people he is surrounded by.
Cameron Crowe is a masterful storyteller, and I am glad he does not just go for the easy quick Hollywood fix. Too many movies today are just predictable--entertaining the first time you watch, but nothing to go back for later. Vanilla Sky definitely makes you want to go back for seconds.