Excellent film; watch if you like complex story more than cheesy action.

Rating: Null/10 (29 March 2004)

Understand first off that I truly enjoyed this movie,enough to go to Blockbuster Video to buy it(I work at Hollywood Video). I really liked the fact that it was very different from Tom Cruise's other movies, probably because of director Cameron Crowe, but still, i cant think of anyone else that could have played the part. (I had considered Jeremy Davies [Million Dollar Hotel, 29 Palms]because he is one of those under-recognized actors that can naturally play unorthodox and strange characters and still make the character seem normal and yet a little off.)Tom Cruise was, I thought fine for the part, namely because, along with frustration and confusion, Cruise always has a natural confidence that matches perfectly for the arrogant rich boy he plays. Overall, I sincerely wanted to thank Crowe for directing an exciting and surreal film. It goes without saying I think, that the actors, even Cruise and Penelope Cruz, did a fine job and should be proud.
In my one line summary, i mentioned that one should watch this if they like story more than action, they should watch this film... let me elaborate please, you see, I am a film major in college and as said, i also work in a video rental place. So it's rather obvious that i have access to alot of movies. I want to say that there are plenty of good action movies that have story plot to them. I make no mention of these. You see, I've grown tired of movies where the main point of focus of the film is on the action rather than on the structure of the story. They have a simple plot revolving on one or a few characters who are capable somehow of defeating odds that are against them by using some long forgotten knowledge of Kung Fu and/or fighting.( EXPLOSIONS PREVELENT THROUGHOUT MOVIE) Not that these are always bad, and i am certainly not saying that i don't watch these sometimes, i just find it refreshing and much more appealing when I find a film that goes deeply into strange events and develops a story that is truly remarkable in that respect. So yes, i say that if one enjoys story and unexpected twists more so than firey car chases and overdone gun battles, please give this film a chance.