Cameron Crowe and Tom Cruise reteamed, following Jerry Maguire, on Vanilla Sky.
It’s a film with far fewer fans…
This article comes fromDen of Geek UK.
This article contains spoilers for Vanilla Sky.
Memorable moments it seemed to be what Cameron Crowe had a knack for creating.
In 2001, Cameron Crowe made the much malignedVanilla Sky.
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It seemed to really rub people up the wrong way upon release.
They are both so different its redundant to undergo a comparison.
But Alejandro Amenbar says Cameron has all my respect and admiration.
Respect, for having plumbed the deepest meaning of the work.
I think I can say that, for me, the projects are like two very special brothers.
They have the same concerns, but their personalities are quite different.
The film opens within a nightmare.
The first images are birds eye shots of Manhattan, looking down upon the skyscrapers and Central Park.
This not a criticism, its an aspect of there being so many elements that are stuffed with meaning.
But, there is something wrong.
As he approaches Times Square, there is not a person in sight.
Im surprised these scenes arent more iconic.
Its a tremendous achievement to pull off, and looks stunning and incredibly eerie.
It should be remembered as one of the most iconic images committed to screen.
Is this a man drowning in the culture of the modern world?
A man absolutely terrified to be on his own?
Cameron Crowe has calledVanilla SkyA movie of clues and signposts, like the cover ofSgt.
Pepper, every time you look at it you see something different.
Some of these clues can be seen during the Times Square sequence and early on in the movie.
He tries to convince those about to execute him that this is the case.
This is probably the first hint, or clue, as to which directionVanilla Skywill go in.
Otherwise the opening of the film seems pretty typical for a Cameron Crowe film.
(Cameron Crowe later returned the favour appearing as a commuter reading a paper inMinority Report.)
Its instant love as bright and magical as a great pop song.
Theres typical Cameron Crowe dialogue about life being a mix of the sweet and the sour.
It only takes ten fast paced minutes for the first rug to be pulled from under the audience.
Its that mask which plays a big role in setting the tone for the movie as a whole.
After the 40 minute mark, it plays a prominent role.
During a scene that takes place in a club, its haunting quality is brought to the fore.
He wanders the club, all expression removed, almost like a ghost.
In fact the barman refuses to see him at first, looking away as he takes his order.
Even when he removes the mask, that face is disfigured.
These are the first steps forVanilla Skyentering the territory of a horror film.
A record scratch, the sound of the needle touching the vinyl, as we fade in from black.
A burbling of strange sound, and an odd colour palette.
The main clue is the sky, almost psychedelic.
On subsequent viewings you realise this is the moment that David Aames chose to start his lucid dream.
Dialogue hints to what is occurring with characters saying things like We created our own world together.
But when the mysteries start to evolve they become increasingly head scratching.
This culminates in a murder scene that is a triumph of editing on all levels.
Specifically sound editing the mix here is phenomenal.
These numbers are actually David Aames patient number.
As the film reaches its climax it becomes difficult to discussVanilla Sky.
Cameron Crowe even states on the audio commentary that there are four main interpretations of the films ending.
Vanilla Skycan have very personal meanings to people.
Theres nothing bigger is there?
Not many Hollywood films have this scale of ambition, combined with a very personal feeling to them.
For that alone,Vanilla Skyshould be applauded.
