Vanilla Sky

Vanilla Sky confirms the theory that American remakes of successful European films only make things worse. I can say that without having seen Alejandro Amenábar's "Abre los ojos", for it cannot possibly be more irritating and pseudo-intellectual than Cameron Crowe's American version.

Tom Cruise is so irritating you want to slap him as David Aames, who has inherited a publishing empire from his father. David is more concerned with enjoying life as a playboy than minding the shop. He has a casual relationship with the hottie Julie Gianni, who is quite clearly in love with David. She matters so little to him, however, that he forgets all about her when he meets the innocent Spanish dancer Sofia. Julie's jealousy turns David's life upside down, and suddenly it is impossible to tell what is dream and what is reality. One moment David is in paradise, the next his life is a nightmare.

Even though it is all explained at the end, there are still scenes that make no sense or seem strangely superfluous. Superfluous scenes are the last thing needed in this glossy sci-fi drama, which runs to well over two hours. Vanilla Sky is rather slow to get going, and it does not help that one cannot identify with the characters, because they are all so unlikeable. By the time the plot finally starts to move, one is already thoroughly worn out after the first hour's trek through the desert.