REEL CRITIC

Julie Lowrance

Millionaire publisher David Aames has it all. He’s young, handsome,

charming and witty. He’s the predictable playboy running his dad’s

publishing empire.

Unfortunately, life served on a silver platter has made him cavalier

with regard to his responsibilities and relationships, and now Aames is

about to experience mind-bending consequences. Few actors besides Tom

Cruise could get away with playing such a cuddly, irresponsible,

incorrigible, selfish heel in Cameron Crowe’s “Vanilla Sky.”

On the night of his 33rd birthday, Aames meets the beguiling and

sultry Sofia Sorreno (Penelope Cruz), whose childlike charm redeems him.

Sadly, his unstable and suicidal ex-girlfriend (Cameron Diaz) sweet-talks

him into her car, which plummets off a bridge. Although Aames survives

the crash, he is grossly disfigured. And hiding behind a latex mask, his

self-examination begins.

Based on the Spanish film, “Abres los Ojos” (“Open Your Eyes”),

Crowe’s title of “Vanilla Sky” emerged from Aames’ reference to the

soft-swirled clouds in an original Monet painting. Like an

impressionistic landscape, Aames’ life if viewed from a distance is

mesmerizing and flawless, however closer inspection reveals

indecipherable and distorted brush strokes.

If you’ve gotten the impression from previews that this film is a love

story, a murder mystery or a psychological thriller, then you’re correct.

It is all of those things, and yet none of those things. Confused?

Even though the film’s plot is difficult to follow, the film works on

numerous levels: the effect of pop culture on societal values, the

superficiality versus credibility given to physical beauty,

self-examination of one’s worth -- and then again, maybe it’s simply

homage paid to the mind’s ability to escape reality through dreams.

But remarkably through all its ambiguity, it still keeps you glued to

your seat in anticipation of what’s going to happen next. I was

surprisingly spellbound by its polished imagery and enticing cast.

Cruise is supported by surprisingly in-depth performances from Diaz

and Cruz, along with credible performances by Jason Lee and Kurt Russell

as best friend and court-appointed psychiatrist, respectively. And

special kudos to Cruise for taking a gamble on a Jekyll-Hyde transforming

role.

Although suspense is not a genre that the director of “Jerry Maguire”

and “Almost Famous” is identified with, Crowe has added his signature

style of interlacing music and pop culture to subtly reveal themes, along

with his ability to provocatively blend humor and compassion.

This is just the beginning of the holiday onslaught of compelling (or

repelling, in some cases) movies, most of which the audience will leave

the theater knowing the outcome, the ending. There will be closure.

“Vanilla Sky” with its myriad twists is the type of film that’s not

for everybody. But to me, there’s something compelling about its

uncertainty. Alas, its vagueness in a climate in which people yearn for

answers may result in overcast days in its forecast.

“Vanilla Sky” is rated R for sexuality and strong language.

* JULIE LOWRANCE is a Costa Mesa resident who works at a Newport Beach

overnight aircraft advertising agency.