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Vanilla
Sky (2001)
 
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Director:
Cameron Crowe |
COUNTRY
USA |
GENRE
Drama/Mystery/Sci-Fi |
NORWEGIAN
TITLE
Vanilla Sky |
RUNNING
TIME
136
minutes |
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Producer:
Cameron Crowe
Tom Cruise
Paula Wagner |
Screenwriter
(based on "Abre los ojos" by A. Amenábar):
Cameron Crowe |
Review
I've always had somewhat of a problem
with movies that base a lot of their existence on confusing its audience
by including dream sequences that are camouflaged (or not) as reality
(or "reality"). Is it a clever and ingenious move, or is it
simply confusing, insipid and unconvincing? With Cameron Crowe's Vanilly
Sky, you're left wondering this question, which basically means that
there are some vigour to the story, but that it's not altogether
compelling. Crowe's direction is that of a creative music video
director. He does create some scenes and backdrops early on that are
absolutely gripping. And the early drama that unfolds - digging into the
highly interesting character of David Aames - is both forceful,
significant and effective. Unfortunately, after developing a series of
interesting character relations, Crowe can't quite maintain his movie's
relevance once he delves into his mystery and starts toying with the
fantastic. It's not so much the idea in itself as it is the way it is
conceived that is the problem. In the end, there's way too much
explaining that needs to be done, and way too much explaining that is
done. We might actually have been better off left in total disarray.
That doesn't deprive the film of its
assets, however. The performances are fine all over, with the film
having its best moments depicting the friendship between Tom Cruise and
Jason Lee. The latter's appearance helps keeping the film grounded
numerous of times, just when you think it has gone off completely, Lee's
earthy and charismatic persona lets us know were alright. Unfortunately,
in the end, he too is demolished by Cruise whose character goes from
exceptionally interesting to a total spoof over the course of the films
two hours.
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