Tom Cruise stands as one of the last bona fide superstars left in Hollywood whose new movies still feel like cinematic events, although he has one 2001 release that never got quite the credit it deserved from mainstream viewers. However, to those in the know, it stands as one of Cruise’s very best releases.
As a four-time Academy Award nominee, Cruise first gained prominence in the 1980s classics like Risky Business and Top Gun and has been at the forefront of Hollywood for the past four decades. While many will think of movies like Rain Man, Jerry Maguire, and Mission: Impossible, his role in an underrated Cameron Crowe sci-fi is a favorite among fans.
Vanilla Sky Is A Brilliant Showcase Of Tom Cruise’s Acting Talents
The fact that Tom Cruise has focused primarily on blockbuster action movies in recent years means it’s easy for viewers to dismiss his dramatic talents. However, this would be a huge mistake, as movies like Vanilla Sky serve as the perfect showcase for his unique abilities and incredible on-screen appeal.
Vanilla Sky was a psychological sci-fi that starred Cruise as David Aames, Jr., a magazine publisher who starts to question the very nature of existence after he’s left disfigured in a car crash. With Penélope Cruz as his love interest, Sofia, this strange and unusual story challenged audiences with its dreamlike narrative and haunting ambiguity.
Penélope Cruz appeared as Sofia in both Vanilla Sky and Open Your Eyes, making her one of the rare actors to reprise the same role in both an original film and its Hollywood remake.
As a remake of the Spanish-language release Open Your Eyes, Vanilla Sky has earned a reputation as a cult classic that stands among the boldest and most interesting performances in Cruise’s entire career. Cruise is so great in the role before he sheds his movie star persona to portray David as a vulnerable, broken, insecure, and ultimately human character.
Why Vanilla Sky Isn’t Talked About More As A Great Tom Cruise Movie
Vanilla Sky is a great movie, but its unusual blend of romance, sci-fi, and surrealism prevented it from gaining mainstream appeal. The best-known Tom Cruise movies were blockbuster hits that helped transform him into a global superstar, as franchises like Mission: Impossible have taken in upwards of $4 billion at the global box office.
More artful Cruise films like Eyes Wide Shut, Magnolia, and Vanilla Sky aren’t as widely discussed as his biggest hits, but they’re a major reason he’s so respected by cinephiles. While film lovers often cite Vanilla Sky as top-tier Cruise, it’s not the role most people immediately ᴀssociate with him.
