Loved revisiting this and remembering some of the timeless scenes in this classic

I watched this movie when it first came out and for some reason felt the need to watch it again. I'm not a big Tom Cruise fan and I didn't consider myself to be a big Penelope Cruz fan. I say this for a reason. When I watched this movie, I literally fell in love with Penelope Cruz. Truth is Tom Cruise is an amazing actor and Penelope Cruz is an amazing actor as well, but this movie still manages to fall under the radar. With a title like Vanilla Sky, you forget it's actually a love story. More so, it's a movie that is built around decisions and the consequences of good and bad decisions. It's not a movie you watch while multitasking, but more so a movie you give your full attention and figure out as you go along.A great display of love, affection, decision and reality... well kinda reality...

The strange thing about dreams is that, while in one, the dreamer usually does not realize a dream is taking place. Only upon the conclusion of the dream experience is an individual able to distinguish between dream and reality. That concept is the driving force behind "Vanilla Sky". For a basic plot summary, this movie focuses on David Aames (Tom Cruise), the heir to a vast business fortune who is very much a playboy. At a party one night, David is smitten by exotic beauty Sofia Serrano (Penelope Cruz) and begins a relationship with her. When jealous fling Julie Gianni (Cameron Diaz) finds out, however, she involves David in an accident that will change his life forever. Because this is a "big reveal" type of film, I will not say anything more here to prevent spoilers. There are two primary reasons that "Vanilla Sky" is such an extraordinary film: First, it is very much high-concept. Much like "Inception", or "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", this movie deals with dreams and how they affect the dreamers. This plot line is almost guaranteed to make you think while viewing, and it will likely be still rattling around in your brain for awhile after viewing. Secondly, though, is that a film like "Vanilla Sky" can only work if it contains incredible character development, which it indeed achieves. In order to truly appreciate both the ending and the overall journey, both the writing and acting must be spot-on. It is, and as such will leave you feeling as if you truly care about the struggles of David Aames and his world. Overall, "Vanilla Sky" is an excellent concept film that ranks right up there with "Eternal Sunshine", "Memento", "The Matrix", and the like. It even has very much of a romantic aspect for those who enjoy high emotion. Simply put, the only people this movie won't appeal to are those purely wanting action/adventure. This one will make you think, but it is more than worth it in the end.(After a recent re-watch, I dropped this movie down from 10/10 to 7/10 stars. This film has lost a bit of its luster for me in the re-watch process and feels a bit dated. The themes are still interesting and the concept is high, but it has been knocked off the lofty pedestal I once perched it on).

Vanilla Sky is a 2001 remake of the great 1997 movie, Abre Los Ojos (Open Your Eyes). And in my opinion, a much more human and emotional version.I didn't see the original one because I didn't know then that this was a remake. Abre Los Ojos has a higher quotation.I'm just giving you a head's up! Me, personally I liked this one and I think it has great actors, but I'm tired of Americans always doing remake versions of films...It's a beautiful movie, but it's one of those movies who is too upsetting to watch twice.