So much to say, but I am speechless...

Rating: 7/10 (11 July 2005)

Cameron Crowe has written and directed some pretty good movies over the years. Starting with Say Anything in 1989, Jerry McGuire in 1996, and Almost Famous in 2000. But these movies don't compare to the complexity and splendor that is Vanilla Sky.
In this American version of Abre los Ojos, Tom Cruise stars as David Aames, a rich publisher, thanks to his father, who has it all. His "buddy" named Julie (Cameron Diaz) is a little jealous about him meeting this girl at a party named Sophia (Penelope Cruz), who he was introduced to by his client and best friend Brian (Jason Lee). Brian is falling for Sophia but is sort of OK with Daivd making the first move. Julie becomes jealous and crashes her car with David in it. She dies and David is left disfigured. Basically, David's entire life is starting to turn upside down and doesn't even know what is real and what isn't. Intertwining throughout the movie is David talking to Dr. Curtis McCabe (Kurt Russell) in prison, awaiting his sentence for a crime he doesn't think he committed. What happens next is hard to explain, and also would ruin the movie.
This movie couldn't have been written any better. Cameron Crowe is on the top of his game. This smart, entertaining story of what happens to a man when reality seems to slip away is magnificent. The five main characters are phenomenal. Cruise, Cruz, Diaz, Russell, and Lee all give some of their best work to date. Although the plot seems to be confusing at times, Crowe does a nice job of explaining everything so it all ties together nicely.
Vanilla Sky is a masterpiece. The screenplay is reminiscent of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Everyhthing put together makes Vanilla Sky one hell of a ride. "This is a revolution of the mind..."