I remember reading rave reviews of Vanilla Sky when it was released back in 2001. Even the tagline on NTL read "a Cameron Crowe masterpiece". Heady stuff, indeed and so I sat down to take in this inspiration amongst movies to see if it could possibly live up to such a billing.
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Principal cast:
Tom Cruise .... David Aames
Penélope Cruz .... Sofia Serrano
Cameron Diaz .... Julie Gianni
Kurt Russell .... Dr. Curtis McCabe
Jason Lee.... Brian Shelby
Noah Taylor .... Edmund Ventura
Timothy Spall .... Thomas Tipp
Tilda Swinton .... Rebecca Dearborn
Michael Shannon .... Aaron

Tom Cruise stars as his alter ego, the playboy about town, David Aames. Living the life of the archetypal chauvinist and fully ensconced in the macho male dream, Aames lurches from high society parties to recalcitrant lovers to company boardroom with a fleet of foot worthy of the most mercurial of gentry. Aames has it made, what with a devoted best friend, Brian Shelby (Jason Lee), to look after him in case he misplaces the occasional word whilst the eternally grateful nymphet comes in the shape of Julia Gianni (Cameron Diaz) to dote on his every sexual whim.

Gianni’s assumed role as door mat has been tragically under-estimated. In true bunny boiler fashion, Gianni becomes increasingly jealous of this new partnership and follows Aames to his secret tryst at Serrano’s flat. Waiting for him outside, the startled Aames accepts a lift from Gianni. What starts as a quick ride home turns into a nightmare as the scorned lover forces Aames to declare his love for her. Not satisfied with his commitment, she promptly drives over the edge the road and into a ditch.

I honestly thought Cruise did well in the lead role. With his pretty boy looks and flashy smile, Cruise is destined to attract as many critics as he is fans in the judgmental world of movies. His depiction of what turns out to be a complex role is commendable. He delivers a difficult role with an air of confidence that ultimately convinces with a modicum of aplomb.

Vanilla Sky does have some incidental sub-plots. Timothy Spall is competent as Aames only supporter on the board as he seeks to protect his benefactor from the so-called seven dwarves. Jason Lee is summarily self-righteous as Aames long suffering best friend Brian Shelby. With a twinkle in his own eye for Mrs Cruise that is Penelope Cruz, he concedes somewhat despairingly to his glamorous better that is Mr Cruise i.e. Aames.

There are some classic scenes to marvel at. A deserted Times Square replete with Cruise furiously trying to outrun the camera man, an eerie rooftop scene towards the film’s finale and Cruise in a prosthetic mask whilst strutting his stuff at an NY disco all leave their impression on the innocent movie-goer. John Toll’s cinematography is first class. In what must have been a challenging movie to make, the images left on canvass do linger and as such he’s done his job to a very high level.