Vanilla Sky is a 2001 American science fiction psychological thriller film directed by Cameron Crowe. It stars Tom Cruise, Penélope Cruz, and Cameron Diaz. The film is a remake of the 1997 Spanish film Abre los Ojos (Open Your Eyes). The story explores themes of love, reality, and the consequences of choice.
The film centers on David Aames (Tom Cruise), a wealthy and charming New York City publishing magnate. David lives a seemingly perfect life filled with parties, casual relationships, and endless possibilities. However, his life takes a dramatic turn after meeting Sofia Serrano (Penélope Cruz) at his birthday party. He falls deeply in love with her, much to the dismay of his possessive and unstable "friends with benefits" partner, Julie Gianni (Cameron Diaz).
One fateful night, Julie, consumed by jealousy, offers David a ride home. She deliberately crashes her car, killing herself and leaving David severely disfigured. This traumatic event throws David's life into disarray. He becomes a recluse, hiding behind a prosthetic mask and struggling to cope with his physical and emotional pain.
Miraculously, Sofia stays by David's side, helping him to heal and find hope. However, David's world starts to unravel as he experiences bizarre and surreal occurrences. He experiences vivid hallucinations, dreamlike sequences, and unsettling encounters that blur the line between reality and fantasy. He's arrested for Sofia's murder and recounts his experiences to a court-appointed psychologist.
As the story unfolds, it's revealed that David has been cryogenically frozen by a company called Life Extension. He is living in a lucid dream that has gone awry due to subconscious distortions. David is given the choice to either remain in a corrected version of the dream or wake up in the real world, 150 years in the future, with a restored body. He chooses the latter, ready to face the uncertainties of reality.
Vanilla Sky received mixed reviews upon release, with critics divided on its complex narrative and ambiguous ending. Some praised its visual style, performances, and thought-provoking themes, while others found it confusing and self-indulgent. The film was a moderate box office success, grossing over $200 million worldwide against a production budget of $68 million.
The film's soundtrack was also well-received and featured a mix of alternative rock, electronica, and classical music. The use of music effectively enhances the film's emotional impact and dreamlike atmosphere. The movie is a visually stunning and intellectually stimulating film that explores the human desire for love, happiness, and the search for meaning in a world where reality can be subjective and malleable.