Vanilla Sky

I first saw the original Spanish movie, "Abre Los Ojos," a few years agoand I just thought, "WOW!" Of course, it's a foreign film and there reallyaren't any known stars from this movie except for Penelope Cruz. She wasjust starting out in the USA back then.

So when Vanilla Sky came out, I was hesitant about seeing it in thetheaters because I liked "Abre Los Ojos" so much. I finally gave up and sawit and I was quite amazed, but still remain faithful to the original.

Tom Cruise actually gives a much better performance than the Spanishversion's role of David. David Aames is a very narcissistic rich playboywho doesn't care who he hurts. He goes after what he wants and leaves thosefalling for him trailing behind. Cameron Diaz plays the friend withbenefits, Juliana, but, to David, she's just a sex toy.

On the day of his birthday, he throws himself a party in his posh New Yorkflat. The dull party filled with begrudged coworkers only gets lively whenhe meets his best friend's date, Sofia (Penelope Cruz), whom he can't takehis eyes off. When Juliana shows up -- uninvited -- and plays the role ofthe jealous girlfriend, David decides to flee the uncomfortable situationwith Sofia. They hang out for the night and find they were truly meant foreach other. The next morning, Juliana defies that fate by taking David ona ride, crashing the car and leaving herself dead and him permanentlydisfigured.

Now, think of the old tale of "Beauty and the Beast." David tries torekindle what he and Sofia had started. His life improves, but then webegin to question, "Did any of this really happen?" You be the judge onthis romantic psychological thriller, but you'll see the story's bittertwist spiked with a questionable reality.

It's an excellent story. It's almost like looking at it through the eyes ofa painter -- How does one actually "see" reality? Look for a great scenetying the movie together when David and Sofia critique the Monet painting,which gives the title of the movie, "Vanilla Sky." The reason why I stillprefer "Abre Los Ojos" is the surprising storyline without Hollywoodwritten all over it. Even though they are very much the same, truly goodfilms don't need all the Hollywood glamour. Of course, each version hasparticularly intense scenes that make the movie. Nevertheless, see themboth because the two are very good, but don't succumb to Hollywood'sglamour in the process.