Opening
with an astounding dream sequence in which Tom Cruise's emotionally
aimless playboy David Aames sprints through a deserted Times Square,
it quickly becomes clear that Crowe has left his signature feelgood
terrain for altogether darker climes.
For
Tom Cruise, it's a triumphant return to the acting territory last
showcased in "Magnolia", with the intriguing risk that
the role compromises his selling point: his handsome face.
The
nightmarish plot finds his character's freewheeling existence shattered
when on-off "bed buddy" Julie (a seductively menacing
Diaz) discovers that David's affections are aimed at Sofia (Cruz).
Julie's jealousy-fuelled response is to drive off a Central Park
bridge, with David as her passenger. Emerging from a coma facially
disfigured, David's life descends into a maelstrom of confusion.
Any
other plot details would sound incoherent, yet with Crowe's stunning
visual trickery allied to his trademark snappy dialogue, human characters,
and a welter of music/pop culture references, the resulting reality-shattering
developments become as captivating as they are delirious.
Cruise's
tormented performance is well supported by Diaz's edgy turn, which
flows easily between playful and downright menacing. Reprising her
role from "Open Your Eyes", Cruz is an enchanting screen
presence, while Jason Lee is immensely likable and self-deprecating
as Aames' best friend.
Genre-traversing
and emotionally bold, this is Cameron Crowe's 'art' film - visually
beautiful and thought-provoking. A tremendously vivid work which
rewards patience and attention with a wonderful and exhilarating
resonance.
"Vanilla
Sky" opens in the UK on Friday 25th January 2002.
Reviewed
by , 成人快手 Films
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