neumu [ cinematronic ]




	Vanilla Sky
	Cameron Crowe Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Penelope Cruz, Jason Lee 2001		Cameron Crowe's previous film, "Almost Famous," was one of the best to be released in the past few years. With the proverbial hard act to follow, the writer/director chose to adapt the unique 1997 Spanish psychological thriller "Open Your Eyes." This decent remake, re-titled "Vanilla Sky" and relocated from Spain to the U.S., is a glossy, well-crafted vehicle for Tom Cruise, who gives his most complete performance since he played the title role in Crowe's "Jerry Maguire." Here, Cruise is David Aames — cavalier scion of a late publishing magnate. The wealthy, hedonistic David treats friends, lovers and business associates with an arrogance that begins to backfire on him at his birthday celebration. He ignores his clinging lover (Cameron Diaz) to hit on a willowy dancer (Penelope Cruz) brought to the party by his best friend (Jason Lee). David's callous behavior leads to a disfiguring accident and culminates in a disturbing chain of events and a telegraphed climax that should be more surprising than it is.