Posted by Boberi at 66-81-71-45-modem.o1.com on December 18, 2001 at 12:41:35:
In Reply to: "Vanilla Sky".......... posted by Jason Lee on December 18, 2001 at 03:47:30:
: .........has been getting some pretty mixed reviews, huh? Fuck, I LOVE
: VS. Just been trying to figure out what people think. It's an interesting
: thing because it's kind of catching people off guard, or just confusing
: people. It's tricky, but interesting at the same time to see what it's
: been stirring up. Anyway, hello all.
: Burt Reynolds
Mind if I jump in here and give you a few thoughts?
I really enjoyed it. I saw Abre los Ojos, so I had a bit of a headstart compared to the rest of the audience, but I saw it with two people who had no idea what to expect, and it was interesting seeing their reactions.
I think one thing that will hurt Vanilla Sky is the expectation of some Tom Cruise fans. A certain part of the audience is going to go into that movie theater expecting MI2, or Days of Thunder, or whatever. They are going to be uncomfortable when this film doesn't fit neatly into an easily-labeled slot.
But that's what I liked about it. It was unpredictable and emotionally disconcerting, and that is really unusual for a studio film today - any film, in fact. I thought Cameron did a really good job making this film culturally-relevant. All the acting was outstanding and it was a beautifully shot film. It was gorgeous to watch. It was fascinating watching the multiple story lines unfold and converge and overlap.
The one element I have issues with is the wrap up at the end (in the elevator), but I can't see any alternative - I think most American viewers would be frustrated without some kind of resolution. As for the friends I saw the movie with - one liked it but felt it was too long, and other was quite puzzled. When she asked me what I liked about it, I said, it tells the story in a sophisticated way, it grabbed me emotionally and kept me on edge. And what it had to say was really important, and moving. And it's narrative was like a punch to the head, I knew I had to be alert and pay attention and be engaged. I really liked that it didn't pander to the audience by handing them a roadmap and saying here's where we are going (well, 99% of the time, anyway).
I think to appreciate this film, you either have to see the original, or you have to make an effort to see VS twice. You have to drop your expectations and just resolve to go on the journey.
Good work, my man.