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by Jennifer Alpeche Published: May 28, 2002
Perhaps DVD is the perfect way to watch “Vanilla Sky.” “It’s a movie to be watched closely, but it’s also a movie you can let wash over you.” Cameron Crowe says this in his introduction to “Vanilla Sky,” a film about David Aames and the choices he makes in life. Choices that take him from an incomplete, yet seemingly perfect life, to a single night of true happiness, to a nightmare within a dream he cannot escape. This film... well, it confused me. But I liked it. It frustrated me to no end, but I did not wish to forget it. I wanted to watch it again and try and figure it out. Presented as a kind of mystery, it leaves us with many questions and much to wonder about. Is David in a dream? And if so, when did it begin? Is he in control? And if not, then who is? Watching “Vanilla Sky” on DVD is beneficial because it gives us the freedom to address our questions head on. Not wanting to miss anything, we can simply re-watch a scene, a moment. We can pause the movie and study the image before us. We can take our time in unlocking it. Tom Cruise is very well cast as David, who relies on his smile, his charm, to attract and dismiss those around him. He is supported by Penelope Cruz as dream girl, Sofia Serrano; Cameron Diaz as brushed-off Julie Gianni; Jason Lee as best friend, Brian Shelby; and Kurt Russell as Dr. Curtis McCabe, a father figure who plays into David’s dreams. Cameron Crowe knows that his movie, a retelling of Alejandro Amenabar’s “Abre Los Ojos” is confusing, open to interpretation, and he does not wish to deny us this. But in his commentary, you can hear that he wishes for us to do one thing – to open our eyes and to keep them open to what he, his players, and his movie attempt to explore. The DVD, although I feel an ideal way to watch "Vanilla Sky," is a bit underwhelming. The commentary track is provided by Crowe and his wife and composer, Nancy Wilson. As he points out clues to the film’s mysteries, she plays her guitar in the background and offers a few comments of her own. Crowe gives us his take on scenes, actors, locations, past filmmakers like Billy Wilder and Howard Hawkes, pop culture, great music... the list goes on. The tone of the track is very loose. As expected from the director who brought us “Say Anything,” "Jerry Maguire,” and "Almost Famous," there is an easiness about it, a kind of cool, laid-back feel. There are offbeat and playful moments (like a phone conversation with Tom Cruise), but I think I would have preferred the commentary without the tangents and distractions. The best parts for me were when clues were pointed out. I won’t give any away here, but they were very helpful and as it turns out, abundant. Everywhere in fact – which again stresses the importance of a DVD showing. Having knowledge of the clues and knowing what to look for opens the movie up considerably. There is a method to the madness after all. However, outside of these advantages, the DVD offers little else. Only a few extras, including a featurette on the press tour for “Vanilla Sky,” which took Cameron Crowe, Tom Cruise, and Penelope Cruz around the world in an effort to attract as many fans as possible. Although fun to watch, it doesn't add to the viewing experience or our understanding of the film at all. Other special features include a lovely photo gallery by photographer, Neal Preston, who also worked with Crowe on "Almost Famous." He captures behind-the-scenes moments and candid shots. The most lovely in my mind being a hauntingly beautiful, empty Times Square. There is also a music section that features an interview with Paul McCartney, who wrote and sang the title track, “Vanilla Sky," plus the music video, "Afrika Shox." But that's it. Nothing else. With all of its twists, turns, dreams, and nightmarish realities, "Vanilla Sky" needs to be watched and re-watched. DVD allows for this, which is a plus, but again, it's too bad it doesn’t offer us more. The two featurettes feel tacked on. I suppose the true focus should be the trippiness of the movie and our efforts at understanding it. It is a film about choices and consequences and a man forced to face a reality he never once considered, who must search within himself to find the answers. It begs for debate. My suggestion is to watch the film, listen to Crowe, and then watch it again. We are told that there are at least four credible interpretations. I think I'm still working on the first and most obvious, but I'll tackle the other three in time. “Every passing minute is another chance to turn it all around.” – Vanilla Sky Overall Rating: B+ for the film, C+ for the DVD. |
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