Philosophical and thought provoking

Rating: 8/10 (21 December 2002)

Watching Vanilla Sky made you think it is mostly about nothing until you see the David Aames, played by Tom Cruise, in a mask talking to the prison psychiatrist, played by Kurt Russell. Then you wonder what has he done that brings him to this situation. It does lead you through a convoluted story that sometimes didn't make sense, or where character and their relationships did a flip, until it is revealed at the end. It makes you to think about one's whole existence and the perception of reality, and which state are we in now.
Some of the parts were a little forced upon us, mostly the ending, which is like a Scoby-Doo explain it all type of scenario. The appearance of the tech support for a few scenes and his explanation of David's ability to change his outcome did not make too much sense since he seem to be telling David outright that his is not living in reality. And I am not sure how in the world he forget such a shocking experience and did not try to apply it to the tragic experience he was encountering? Others include the beginning scenes where his company is surviving and thriving for any period of time when it is under the control and management of `I don't care about anything beside having fun' David is a little incredible. Also, the belief that one is reliving an album cover makes no sense unless one sees it from the camera perspective, which I presume, would arouse suspicion.
This movie seems to be Tom Cruise's venue to show his acting ability, where he is pretty much driving the whole movie. Kurt Russell and his interaction was not convincing enough for me to believe that David was looking at the Doctor as a father figure and the Doctor was providing that back. And forget Penélope Cruz, her acting ability seems to consist of reciting lines.
Cameron Crowe seem to not be able to get himself out of the 60/70's time period. With these old cars, old music, old album cover, etc. It is great when the plot revolves around it or when it is set in that time period, but when you see everything revolve around it, it kind of detract from the feel of the movie.
A interesting film on lucid dreams is Waking Life, where the subject parallels this film, but with a little more of am I asleep or am I awake question.
Overall, a good film, with some quirks, but with lots of thoughts to ponder upon.