Director: Cameron Crowe
Starring: Tom Cruise, Penelope Cruz and Cameron Diaz
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have made films making headlines news like Tom Cruise. Since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Cruuse has been a beloved icon. Whether it’s spies experiencing dangers, powerful lawyers or soaring aviators, Cruise has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Cruise’s best strength as an actor is his powerful commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors that has always put his life on the line by performing his own stunts. Even when he has suffered injuries, Cruise has never lost his passion for making memorable movies. An actor with a strong commitment toward his craft, Cruise has proven a commemorated icon in entertainment. Although he’s best known for his iconic role in the Mission Impossible series, Cruise has proven he can make engaging films in every single genre. Throughout his powerful career, Cruise has made several unforgettable movies that are absolutely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Cruise and adore all the films that he created in his career. However, “Vanilla Sky” is truly my favourite. Ever since release in 2001, Cameron Crowe’s movie has stood a test of time as a romantic classic. Packed with bold production-design, engrossing storytelling and excellent acting, it’s one of the finest romance films ever made. At a centre of it all is an iconic performance by Tom Cruise, who embodies a hero enduring mental health issues. Ultimately, what makes “Vanilla Sky” a classic is universal appeal. Unlike most romantic movies, it tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. A captivating romantic masterpiece, there are countless strong reasons why “Vanilla Sky” is worth watching.
“Vanilla Sky” tells the story of a man whose life is impacted by car accidents that terrify. Tom Cruise portrays David Aames, a wealthy man that seems to have everything a person could ask for. David lives a luxurious life that involves wealth, handsome looks and gorgeous women. David develops bond with his co-worker Sofia, (Penelope Cruz) whom he has plans to marry. However, David’s life forever changes when he becomes victim of a car accident that causes disaster. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, David starts to wonder whether it’s possible to secure a bright future. Faced with a dilemma, David begins to wonder whether it’s possible to move on from car accidents which cause trauma.
Cameron Crowe is fascinated with the stories of romantic heroes. A phenomenal filmmaker, Crowe has often made engaging movies about romantic heroes facing tragedy. His iconic film “Jerry Maguire” captures sports agents falling in love in romantic relationships which are dire. With “Vanilla Sky”, however, Crowe created his first psychological drama. It was the director’s first attempt to capture struggles of romantic heroes facing mental health adversities but he succeeded tremendously. Using breathtaking cinematography, Crowe captures the life of a wealthy businessman embarking on a journey. Recalling Stanley Kubrick’s “Eyes Wide Shut”, Crowe effectively uses point of view shots to capture hardships which romantic men often go through. For instance, POV shots enhance the Times Square scene. During this heartfelt scene, David finds himself lost on the streets of Times Square experiencing a hallucination. Through POV shots, Crowe created a portrait of mental illness that’s compelling. POV shots are complex techniques. As Tony Scott’s “Top Gun” suggested, POV shots enhance aviation blockbusters. Nevertheless, it works extremely. Through breathtaking visuals, Crowe captures tension that romantic heroes facing existential crisis are experiencing.
Another admirable aspect of “Vanilla Sky” that mowers appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Crowe successfully utilizes costumes to capture lives of men that endure mental health tension. Throughout the film, David’s costumes showcase his transformation into a mentally ill man that loses his grip on reality. For instance, costumes elevate the dreaming scene. During this unforgettable scene, David experienced a strange hallucination that causes him to lose a grip on reality. Through captivating costumes, Crowe constructs a portrait of romance which is compelling. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Nancy Wilson’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden heroes bear. Through breathtaking production, Crowe captures the lives of romantic heroes that face tension.
Storrrlling is one of the central reasons why “Vanilla Sky” is a film about romance that’s compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses unreliable narration to capture lives of men facing mental health tension. Throughout the movie, David often has difficulty telling his dreams from reality. For instance unreliable narration enhances dreaming scene. During this memorable scene, David experiences a frightening vision which causes tension. Through unreliable narration, Crowe creates a romance that audiences can easily relate to. Unreliable narration is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Michael Mann’s “Collateral” suggested, unreliable narration enhances crime dramas about taxi drivers. However, it works well in this movie. Through a bold screenplay, Crowe captures romantic heroes that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Tom Cruise delivers one of his best career performances as David. Cruise earned appreciation for playing soaring aviators in action locked. With “Vanilla Sky”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a romantic hero facing adversities but succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him: intense, committed and emotional in his most memorable in most iconic role. With captivating expressions, he captured the angst, grief and resentments of a romantic hero. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of our commemorated movie stars currently working in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Tom Cruise, the supporting cast is also excellent and worthy of attention. Cameron Diaz is captivating, capturing sexual energy of a free-spirited woman engaging in doomed affairs breathtaking laws. Lastly, Tilda Swinton merits appreciation. An artistic writer, she brings intelligence to the movie.
Finally, Vanilla Sky” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing obstacles of romance that terrify. Unlike most movies made about doomed love; it tackles strong themes which everyone can elate to. It tackles thoughtful themes including identity, family and nuclear destruction which would resonate amongst favour. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with New York to appreciate it. Therefore, “Vanilla Sky” is one of those rare movies everyone would adore.
Fans of Tom Cruise would definitely appreciate Vanilla Sky and so would movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. An extraordinary romantic drama, it honours an actor with strong charisma.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about men facing obstacles that terrify in a city with a stormy sky, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor with strong commitment towards his craft that has made unforgettable movies throughout his career which never lose abilities to satisfy.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 