What makes this movie so special. . .

Rating: 10/10 (27 May 2002)

Before one watches this movie, he or she must be aware that it can be viewed on two levels. The first is the sci-fi aspect: special effects, visually stimulating scenes, thought-provoking plots, & technological possibilities. I feel that most people will watch this movie, and will do so only being aware of this first level, and this by no means is something negative - indeed Vanilla Sky provides interesting ideas in regards to what the future would be and could be like - however lofty and idealistic these possibilities may be.
The second aspect that I feel Vanilla Sky contains, is what makes this movie so unique for me: the possibility of finding the one true love in the world. As any plot summary can describe, Vanilla Sky is about the protagonist David Aames (Tom Cruise), a man worth millions, a man who owns the largest publishing company in New York, a man who women like the beautiful Julie Gianni (Cameron Diaz) seemingly incessantly lust after. Although he essentially seems to have it all, there is definitely something valuable missing - the one true love in his life. This void is filled once he meets the kind, witty latin brunette, Sofia (Penelope Cruz). With Sofia, David has found the one thing he has never had before - the perfect companion. Their time spent together is portrayed like a fairly-tale, and it is done so well, that the viewer can feel the perfection and the burning feelings generated by the love between them. Fate and bad decisions hugely alter their relationship, but although things get quite crazy as Vanilla Sky progresses, the viewer (I did) may become swarmed with emotion at what really could have been for David and Sofia - the endless possibilites.
All that matters regardless of the plot outcome, is that David is one of the few lucky people in this world who finds his match, and that notion in itself is something intense. Vanilla Sky has made me hope that I will do the same at some point in my life and that I hopefully have not passed up any prior opportunities. "Every passing minute is another chance to turn it all around." - Carpe Diem. . . Vanilla Sky teaches that you have to live it up while you can - and if there is something you really want - go after it, because if you don't, you could miss out on something so great - like the one true love.
I'm sure many of you will think that my critique is too idealistic, but this is what I feel every time I watch Vanilla Sky. It is more than an erotic, sci-fi thriller - it is something much deeper and larger. It shows that while money can get you far in life, true love is something hard to find - and if you do find it - you are the luckiest person in the world.