VANILLA SKY is a masterpiece: pure and simple. Directed by Cameron Crowe - who'd previously collaborated with ace actor Tom on the Emo-packed 'Jerry Maguire' drama of bittersweet proportions - 'Vanilla Sky' is infamously known as the prelude to the break down of Tom's and his then-wife Nicole Kidman's seemingly rock-solid marriage. All because his co-star here is the sweet-natured Penelope Cruz� but thank God that this fictional story didn't mirror real-life, otherwise Nicole might have been tempted to ram Tom off a bridge, in her car, at full throttle� as bitchy Cameron Diaz does in the movie, out of sheer jealously, when she learns that he's falling for Cruz.
So far so followable� but as soon as the car crash shocks the hell out of us, the story then takes a hugely original path to its dizzying climax as Cruise's character David Aames awakes from his coma with a sore face for sorer eyes, a fat top lip and inflamed Jaws that would put the shark of the same name's to shame. His face is a mess and paranoia is paramount as he can't honestly remember what happened, and where his newfound obsession in Cruz's character is - or, most-importantly, if she feels the same for him�
The supporting cast is formidable with the brilliant Jason Lee as his dubiously-motivated 'best-mate' (outta the piss-funny 'Mallrats') and Kurt Russell playing a shrink trying to get to the bottom of the mystery once Aames is framed for a murder he adamantly denies he didn't, no� he couldn't commit.
This is visual art in its sexiest, glossiest, most intoxicating sense with one of the best accompanying soundtracks in recent years (graced with songs by Dylan & Beth Orton) and some of the most surreal cinema moments in cinematic history, reminiscent of the film-making styles adopted in the off-kilter genius of benchmarks like 'Fight Club' and 'Being John Malkovich.' Sure, this takes some following� but the final 20 minutes when all the loose ends are cleverly wrapped-up are to be savoured - even though the very last scene still confuses the hell out of me�
'Open your eyes.' This movie is in a world of its own and on its own visionary terms 'Vanilla Sky' is affirmation enough that life is there for the living, and love is there for the giving. (STEVE RUDD)