Wow. A thoughtful, emotional & psychotic mix of: Jacob's Ladder, The Matrix, Total Recall & and a bit of Sixth Sense. Tom Cruise's best.

I can only remember seeing one movie worse than this--"The Blair Witch Project." A total loss except for the close-ups of Penelope.

I am utterly haunted by this movie. It is artistically beautiful, the music fitting and grand, the acting fabulous. I am not sure whether to categorize it as a love, horror, adventure, mystery, sexual/intellectual thriller, and I like that. I am impassioned by its vulgarity, and fell in love with its romance. I have never been a Tom cruise fan until now.

Absorbing from start to finish, Cruise really shines in a role that knowlingly plays with his public persona.

What a great film! The best part about the film is that you can interpret it several different ways. Was it fiction or was it reality. Or, was it both. Here is my take on the film. Everything before he flew off the cliff was real. Everything after he flew off the cliff was Cruise in a coma. Every wild thing that happened was a result of the coma dream like state. The nurse then flashes a light in his eye to wake him up. Whatever your interpretation is, the film features excellent acting, a great cast and 100% total intrest throughout. … Expand

A way underrated film.

This movie really disappoited me! It was one of the worst films I have ever watched! The storyline was terrible, and not forgetting the fact of seeing Tom Cruise's usually beautiful face distorted for 99% of the film!

Spectacular!

Brilliant, though I didn't think so at first. It's a slight, slight bit like "Mullholand Drive" in that it's a 'multi-watch' kind of film. The problem is that unlike Mullholand, it isn't apparent that this is a movie that requires a 'second spin'. Most people probably think that they've pretty much got it, tee hee. Some advice: watch it again! I know, I know why watch it again if you thought it was so-so the first time? Watch it again, and like me you'll find out. This might be one of those movies you're gonna need to buy and veiw over and over again. There is so much hidden. Now for all those that think they're so great that they don't need a second viewing: I guess you know about the bike. Also the car. and the 'signs'.… Expand

Tom Cruise is mean, I don't like him.

It's the gratest movie !!!!

This movie has touched every part of my life and my soul. when i watch it my whole body becomes inthralled in the story. i am addicted.. i cant stop watching. and it gave me inspiration... " Every passing minute is a chance to turn it all around. " Penelope was wonderful as was jason lee. over all the movie was amazingly beautiful and worth watching over and over... and the soundtrack is to die for. ...… Expand

This is now my favorite movie! I am absolutely thrilled to see something of substance coming out in theatres. I fell in love with this movie and it professes exactly what I endeavor to show in the novel I'm writing. It is a fascinating testament to the reality of true love, and the power each person has inside themselves to achieve their dreams. Best movie EVER.

This film is f**king amazing!!! Tom Cruise was great, Penelope Cruise was spell binding and the support was rock solid Jason Lee, Kurt Russell especially. The music was fantastic especially during the final scenes, i have seen this movie at least 5 times and still find it enthralling. Please Hollywood make more movies that make you think!!!

The Best Movie I have ever seen.

I don't care what the critics say. This was a great movie. The story was deep and thoughtful, and there were some very memorable scenes. Walking through New York Times square in the day time with zero people for example. I would say it's definitely worth owning.

Eerie, suspenseful, and romantic, filled with a profound sadness I can hardly describe with words, Cameron Crowe paints a picture that is underrated and will haunt me for a long time.

It's kinda neat being in a garage full of Rolls-Royce parts, but nothing was put together I could drive away.

I think this one is one of the greatest movies of the xxi century, it has all the elements.the sadest about the movie is that the end is very thrilled.great cast

I've seen this movie at least 10 times, and I will say (while holding onto my manhood) that this is the only movie I've actually shed a tear to multiple times. I fell in love with Penelope Cruz and hated Diaz's character: Julie Gianni. I will admit that Diaz acted incredibly well in this movie, actually allowing me to hate her character so much that it left a sour taste toward her in my mouth. This is in my Top 10 favorite movies of all time.… Expand

Well, before giving it a good rating, you gotta see the original ("Abre Los Ojos" by Alejandro Amenabar). Hate to disappoint you guys, but this one is total crap.. Unless you are one of those people without imagination, and you like all the answers being given to you, lefting no place for you to think, you should stay away from this remake. (Sorry for my English, I've only learned it at school :) ).… Expand

Vanila Sky is in one of best. Cant believe wat the critics had said about this movie. Some of the critics see the scenes as a whole series of David's (the main character) life. Although the plot is puzzled,but the movie is well prepared, since at the beginning David says "We are all pretend that we are not going to die" and what happend in the next sceen is his fear of not finishing or doing things well (his free lifestyle) since he thinks that he can finish it later. The film is a series of dreams or David's fear exactly. Started after the car accident, everything in the movie is David's fear (see it from its unusual lightning or setting). The character also symbolised many aspect in his life. Diaz symbolise his desire (sexual), Russel symbolize a steady adult man, His bestfriend symbolize his social life (where he can only tolerate hisself), and finally Cruz symbolize love (the only which hes been searching for: balance).… Expand

Superb, highly moving and deep when understood. Vanilla Sky is not a movie to watch just once and requires your full attention. Not everyone will get it; few will appreciate it on the first viewing. This is not a "Tom Cruise" movie, but definately one to watch several times if you enjoy complex movies.

I'm still confused by whatever went on in that movie, but I loved it, and I was blown away by the ending which was made even spectacular by Sigur Ros' '"Njosnavelin". This movie toyed a lot with my emotions, and I don't think I can spite Tom Cruise for his role as David Aames, even if I loathe him (Tom) with a passion as of now.

A wonderful movie. Cameron Crowe really gets the perspective of the original "abre los ojos" and focus all the main ideas in this picture. Vanilla Sky make humans realised the meanning of their existence, it try to achieve a new level of understanding of the human mind by incorporate anormal fenoms in cuatidan life. As Cameron Crow said about the movie. "life, sex, emotion, sadness, love, crazyness, dead".This is Vanilla Sky.… Expand

I saw and viewed the film several times and I absolutely loved it. With Vanilla Sky, I was expecting something completely ripped-off, an uninspired remake. This, however, was not the film I was expecting. This didn't pretend to be a noir; it instead took the original themes and developed them in hyperdrive. It shows the same exact scenes as the original, yet it has a totally different tone. Every misstep the film seemed to take ended up paying off BIG. This is a truly mind-boggling experience. This is from someone who said the same of the original. … Expand

I saw three movies the same day. None of them grabbed me like Cameron Crow's vanilla sky did. This movie is raw, gritty, very real (Crow has a natural insight on human behavior), and unyielding from beginning to end taking you on a schizophrenic rollercoaster ride like no other movie does. It's a study on what happens to the human psyche in the face of a traggic occurance midstream of life. It touches on sociological issues that we as individuals can relate to. The back and forth sequenes get confusing. I've seen it once and for sure gonna see it again. Very emotional piece, loved it.… Expand

Soundtrack is wicked. Movie is excellent. Tom Cruise performs well. Interesting story for us who find 90% of hollywood movies boring sh.t for babies.

What can I say, get some big names and you get a load of viewers and a handful of them will like it.

Is this piece of crap still in the theatres? Who is watching this? The only reason I'm giving it a 1 is because Cameron Diaz is delightful in her role. However, she's barely in the friggen' movie! Penelope Cruz and Tom (I'm not gay) Cruise basically prove the Joey Tribbiani theory of acting and Tom's heterosexuality claims correct. Joey's theory, for those who don't remember, is that a couple that exhibits hot chemistry on stage or on screen is not involved. Once they do it, the heat evaporates and there's nothing in the performances. Judging by Vanilla Sky, Tom can put all those homosexuality rumors to rest.… Expand

I think the critics should take the opening line seriously. The opening line is open your eyes. To not like this film, they would have had to been asleep before the movie started. Seriously, this movie is not hard to understand. I understood as soon as the end credits started to roll. The critics can be so stupid!

Fantastic...the music used with the images has been thoughtfully selected and written to create a very powerful combination.

It's a brilliantly creative torture of the mind and heart.

The dullest movie I've seen in years. The dialogue is asinine and will leave you with gapping mouth at the shear self-indulgence of this caca. A kind of Mulholland Drive for the simple minded. I remember the buzz at the release was cheering Tom for braving a disfigured on screen presence. Someone pass the barf bag -- I'm getting sick.

Too hard to follow. I cannot STAND Penelope Cruz and thought Cameron Diaz would be more prominent in the movie than airhead Penelope. Jason Lee is awesome as always though, but the film is just all over the place. Kinda like Traffic. I cannot STAND that.

One of the better movies to be released to a full national market in recent history. While not quite up to par with the original Spanish version, this movie still carries a great deal more weight than the majority of mass-market movies. On a sidenote, if you're one of those individuals primarly concerned with Tom's pretty face, Cameron Diaz' as a sexual figure, or anything else pop-culture, don't bother with this movie.… Expand

This movie is so bad it does not deserve a comment.

This movie simply ROCKED!

It is a prove of the "spiritual awakening" and evolution that is sufering our planet earth, few years ago was crazy to think about a movie about the real meaning of happiness and/or anti-materialist.

This has got to be one of the worst movies I have ever seen. It tries so hard to be profound that it makes Disney seem deep! You want more meaning in your life?....wake up and don't waste your money on this one.

The worst movie I've seen this year. tell Tom Cruise I want my 3.99 back.

The worst movie I've seen this year. tell Tom Cruise I want my 3.99 back.

Great Production, Great Acting and an excellent story line. The end is a real dissapointment and ruins what may have been a real classic. I don't understand the point why i ended like that. What a waste.

-A surprisingly accurate depiction of the cutthroat ice cream industry. As fascinating as it is fattening. One tip: when you watch this movie, "open your eyes." ...Not for the lactose or psychedelically intolerant.

Terrifically acted and adapted incredibly well, not to mention near-perfect casting with the exception of Penelope Cruz since most people (including me) were probably perplexed as to why Tom Cruise would choose her over Cameron Diaz, who out-acted Cruz in every way. Still, I love movies that make me think and think but only allow me to find theories rather than solution (see Mulholland Drive, a better dreamy thriller than this one was) but had this movie not been given a solution at the end, it would've probably been shit. Best Hollywood movie in a very long time!… Collapse

Finally!!!! Finally there is a movie that will make the audience actually think instead of telling them what they should feel. I cannot begin to say how much of a great movie this was. This is not spoon fed happiness but it makes you make a conclusion of 3 possible endings that might have happened. My dreams have never been the same since.

People will like this movie or hate it, i liked it. the acting was great and the movie left a powerfull presence in my mind. Jason Lee provided great support acting for Cruise and the other members of the cast put in great efforts that really show and keep the movie alive when youd think it would suck. As i said some will like this movie and some will hate it, nothing in between.

A strange but artistic movie, i just watched it for the second time, and i think i understand the movie, but then again, i think....

What a great film! Second time around made it.

Horribly underated and misunderstood, this film is a testament to what is wrong with Hollywood today. On the other hand, that Crowe has the guts to make this film shows that us artsy weirdos do have a pinch hitter if we ever need him. GOD BLESS CAMERON CROWE! ADDITIONAL NOTE- Why wasn't Cameron Diaz nominated for an Oscar? She was eerily sexy, and psychotic, in this.

Vanilla Sky, by far, has to be my favorite movie of all time. From incredible casting to an unbeatable soundtrack that stays close to my player at all times. This movie does ask a lot of its audience however it paid me back ten fold, not only with a fantasticly original ending (which I realize it is Alejandro Amenabar's creation,yet Crowe perfected it), but with the type of love story and movie magic that only Cameron Crowe can do. There are so many facets and layers to this movie that makes me believe that no review or synopsis can ever do it justice, except for Crowe's audio commentary. It's a movie that stays with me throughout the day and I see staying at number one on my list for a very long time.… Expand

I like it !!

This is an amazing movie that will stay with you long after the end scene. I do not understand how it has a 45 on metacritic. It was under-rated, clearly.

Best film i ever saw.

I watched this knowing it had been panned all over the place, and afterward I walked out of the cinema feeling like I had just made a purchase for only half the actual price. This is a very good film and a very rewarding one for those who give it time of day. I thought Cruise was good in Minority Report, but he was even better in this one. A very dreamy thriller that will take you on a perplexing trip, but one that will reach the light at the end of the tunnel. And what a perfectly-chosen Radiohead song for the opening credits...good one Crowe!… Expand

Wonderful movie, one of my favorites. Starts off slow, but the ending blows you away. I loved it.

I liked it, but just saw "Open your eyes" and can see that the original is much much better. Go rent it. And it is pretty weird to see Penelope Cruz as the same character in both.

This movie fails big time! stay away.

One of my top ten films of all time. I loved this film, and believe that critics didn't because it undermined everything they always look for, and still turned out to be an abosolutely amazing movie. Music, performances, plot were spot on. The movie felt as if it came from out of a dream, and I felt in a dream when I watched it. Thank You Cameron Crowe.

Fascinating and artistic in every way, and what a score (Sigur Ros, Radiohead, Bjork).

This is one of those movies that had a great concept but didn

One of the best movies I have seen. Raises many questions and evokes even more feelings.

This movie is amazing, although it's sometimes intense and painful to the point of being hard to watch The negative reviews are hilarious; they remind me of AI, in particular the complaints about "too large of scope". If you can't wrap your head around epic, high-concept scifi, then go watch Animal House or something. This is a fantastically made and riveting film. Those scoring it on par with "The Hottie and Nottie" is deeply clueless.… Expand

I simply do NOT understand how anyone could say this film is anything but brilliant.

This film was incredible!!! Fascininating and I can't describe it's magic!!

It keeps it's promise as a romantic/thriller...don't tell!

This is one of the greatest movies ever. I was overwelmed by its magic. Crowe has done it again a must see.

A gallant attempt by a terrific director, out of his element, finally results in a over the top film bore. Who really cares about this narcissistic playboy?, bravely played by Tom Cruise who resorts to smirking for too much of the film. Cameron Diaz does scores high job as a unsavory character. Why even remake this all too recent foreign flick?

It wasn't challenging enough to warrant the word "psychological" or interesting enough to be a thriller. I was very disappointed that my mind wasn't the least bit boggled.

Still don't know what it was all about.

This movie has many psychadelic twists that can only be appreciated by the more intelligent half of the world. In order to appreciate this movie in all senses it deserves, you must see it at least twice. Then the plot can be argued over and someone can take the several interpretations into consideration, and choose the one they think is best suiting for them and the movie.

This movie confuses. All Tom likes to do is have sex in movies. Revolting, and unattractive. What was was the point? The original Spanish version "Open Your Eyes," though foreign, makes a hell of a lot more sense. Cameron Crowe needs to keep good originals alone.

If you are an individual who believes that an $8.00 movie ticket should buy you a 90-minute ride down the well lit, well marked, and always comforting road of start to finish Hollywood blockbusters, this is not the movie for you. In order for this picture to be enjoyable, you are going to have to work with it, however if your mind will allow you, the experience can be far more provocative then that which is apparent with other films. . It is true unfortunately that for most of today?s moviegoers, their ability to interpret and internalize a film such as this, is limited, and the process unpleasant. Truth be told, for the 2+ hours I was in the theatre, and the 2+ days thereafter, I continually found my mind questioning and second-guessing that which I knew to be true, and I for one, am of this opinion that an experience such as this, make it the best $8.00 that I have ever spent. … Expand

I thought this movie was incredibly insightful and unique. cameron crowe was astounding and brilliant as usual, and i was even impressed by tom cruise (who usually doesn't do it for me). Overall, i think its one of the most innovative movies i've seen in a long time. Sure beats that teeny bopper crap that's been selling so well these days . . .

Absolutely fantastic! I think about it everyday and dream about it everynight. It Touched me like no other movie has. Vanilla Sky is a MASTERPIECE!!!

Barely watchable. Whatever the message is that this film is trying to get across, it was wasted on me. The film was boring; it was so detached from its characters that I couldn't have cared less about it.

Good: David Helfgott Tilda Swinton The lawyer. Not-So-Good: Penelope Cruz Tom Cruise The ending ruins it all. You realize that you spent the whole movie thinking that the details and plot twists were important when they really didn't matter at all.

My favourite movie of all time!! The first time you watch it - it's confusing and exciting. But watch it a second and a third time and you discover even more layers to the movie and a powerful message. Camron Crowe is a genius.

A truly unsettling,mind-bending nightmare of a film. A solipsistic self-realization parallelled with a yearning for an unobtainable other. About as a pleasant as a heart-attack. But not without quality. Definitely worth watching.

Not enough people have seen it, i feel that if more people watched it then more people could open there eyes, to see what a great film it is.

Best movie I've ever seen. Completely and utterly brilliant.

Fascinating, haunting film that stays with you long afterward. One of Tom Cruise's best performances. The film demands close inspection and/or repeat viewings, and rewards either lavishly. "The little things - there's nothing bigger." Superb soundtrack. Terribly misunderstood, (and not at all an "erotic thriller"), it is one of the very best films of 2001. Brilliant.

Cameron Crowe really has outdone himself in some of the movies he's made. This movie is no exception. Let me just make a personal note before I make this review. I'm one of those people that saw this movie for the first time and understood everything, and something I have to note about is that this movie is a true Cameron Crowe masterpiece if you actually understand it. I really went through a lot of emotions when I watched this movie, this is one of the more cinematic movies I've seen. From the music to the very clever lines, and to the story pulling all together on one very well made elevator scene. This movie has a really cool vibe to it from the moment it starts. Plus the ending is mind blowing. I really love Paul Mccartney's song played in the credits, it really brings you down to earth after seeing such a breathtaking ending. If you want to watch this movie go ahead, I think that some of the critics were a little rough on this movie. Heres a hint to watching this though, when you reach a scene that shows Tom in an Elevator with a man in a suit, pay attention to this scene, because it explains everything about this movie. Happy Watching.… Expand

A film which makes an attempt to pattern itself on the fantasy vs. reality films that had become popular at the turn of the new millennium - David Fichner's "Fight Club" and M. Night Shamalan's "Sixth Sense" both from 1999, Christopher Nolan's "Momento" from 2000, and David Lynch's "Mulholland Drive" released the following year (all of which don't surpass the reigning king of this genre when Terry Gilliam released his 1985 masterpiece "Brazil") - by no means fails in this respect since I found it both entertaining and intriguing for the most part, but is noticeably long and certainly may confuse the average '2hr-max-movie-goer'. Penelope Cruz and Cameron Diaz both stand out playing their respective, 'good gal/bad gal roles and Jason Lee is quite appealing as the best friend of our dashing lead Tom Cruise. Yet Cruise may be viewed as stretching this performance given the physical challenges that are demanded. I hesitate to reveal these challenges to those that have not seen the picture as they are indeed the focal point of the plot. Many good things like the witty Cameron Crowe retrospective soundtrack that is weaved into clever culture references and tributes which are indeed enjoyable and even necessary to solve the riddle presented in 'what's is going on?' scenario of the main character's pressing dilemma which may not be easy to access with a single viewing. But still the ride can be entertaining as Tom runs away and into trouble as he often does in quasi-action films that are laced with mystery and intrigue like Sydney Pollack's 1993 "The Firm", Brian De Palma's 1996 "Mission Impossible" and even the more cerebrally dark, "Eyes Wide Shut" from Stanley Kubrick. As noted by many educated critics as well as the tasteless tabloids Mr. Cruise may be biting off more than he can chew as he dives into the land of independent production. I applaud Tom for his efforts and are rooting for his 'comeback' yet do believe that his choice for future roles should include a return to comedic territory as a deviation/diversion to selecting elaborate/complicated efforts which could be prove a bit too risky and result in a poor reception at the box office.… Expand

First, Cameron Crowe made an audience-friendly film with no stars but nobody showed up. Now he follows it up with a stab at art-house with the golden boy of Tinseltown. Next time out, Crowe will get it right and have the commercial and critical success he enjoyed with "Jerry Maguire." Vanilla Sky earns 5 points because the smile on my face hasn't left since his last effort.

This movie is annoying.

I have to see this movie for the third and maybe the fourth time. I will probably figure it out. Anyway it has this ability to keep me connected.

It's really strange the negative reviews this film got. Jerry Maguire was the film that really didn't do anything for me. I got to say after reading the 45% metscore this movie got and then seeing it I was really surprised. It's not perfect, but the direction in this movie whirls around in spirals and twirls. The plot device towards the end is the least perfect thing, but when I think about it there is nothing wrong with something over the top. Groundhog Day and 'Eternal Sunshine' don't need to go in depth into explaining away their plot devices, and in this movie it is also less relevant. What is the core of this movie, is the wild fluctuations of Tom Cruise having it all and then losing it all and then having it all. Some beautiful scenes in this movie include Cruise stumbling around a nightclub with a prosthetic mask on the back of his head, and how the title of the movie relates to the end of the movie.… Expand

I've just saw the movie, and give it a six because it really messed up my head ! The feeiling of not knowing what's real and what's not is very realistic. The same goes for the logic laws that's twisted over and over again.

One of the most interesting unique plots ive ever seen in a movie with an unpredictable ending.

Wow. A 45% from critics?

This just shows how little credence you should pay to professional opinions on works of art. This movie floored me and stuck with me for years. To come here and see it scored below dreck like Doctor Dolittle and Zombie Strippers is an absolute insult.

If you're a fan of high concept science fiction and have at least a triple digit IQ, you owe it to yourself to watch this movie and come to your own conclusions. Criminally underrated.… Expand

A well put together and interesting movie. Honestly, it is insane that it has such a low critic score. If you like movies that keep you guessing like Fight Club or Eternal Sunshine, then you will enjoy this movie. It's confusing because it's meant to be and it triumphs in being entertaining until the end reveal. And on a second viewing, everything makes sense and is one cohesive picture. As others point out, there are many Fantasy vs. Reality films out there, many with more shocking "twists", but Vanilla Sky is a gripping movie in it's own right and me and my friends definitely enjoyed watching it even now, a decade after it's original release.… Expand

You either understand this film or you don't.....and that alone would base the difference between a positive or negative review. This film is indeed a glorious mess........that's what it intends to be and yet, in the final few moments of the film, it bunches up into something that somehow works. In the end, the story hits you in the gut and calls into question every character that you've grown accustomed to throughout the duration, and it asks you to let it all go. So devastating but so courageous and raw. Performances all around are top-notch, including Diaz, who does some of her best work here.… Expand

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I have no idea what the plot is...which characters or scenes are actually happening and which are an 'altered reality'...no idea of whether (SPOILER ALERT...) the Cruise character is alive, dead or in some suspended state...in general, no idea of what's happening at all. Still, for some reason, I really like this movie.… Expand