At the end of the brief “Prelude to a Dream” featurette on Paramount’s new “Vanilla Sky” DVD, director Cameron Crowe refers to his picture as everything to a “puzzle” to a “nightmare” to a “psychedelic dream.” Is he accurate?
Not quite, though “Sky” will be remembered as Crowe’s art picture, a dramatic leap off of the mainstream tour bus he boarded back in 1989 with his directorial debut, “Say Anything,” and rode through the progression of success afforded to him with “Singles,” “Jerry Maguire” and last year’s “Almost Famous.” Ultimately, it’s a miscalculated leap, as “Sky” fails to capitalize on its riveting concept and across-the-board phenomenal performances. Instead, it packs a cruel, unkind ending that will abuse the trust of anyone who shouldered the emotional load and stuck with the difficult film to its bitter, cold and scientific end. Crowe’s not entirely to blame, as he’s working (religiously, I’m told) from a Spanish film entitled “Abre Los Ojos” (“Open Your Eyes”) by Alejandro Amenabar. Still, Crowe had to know the ending stashed up his sleeve was tough to swallow, so he razzles and dazzles before he delivers it, but he’s just not convincing enough not to lose us completely once the solution is floated.Crowe establishes the film’s desired tone almost immediately, opening with a disorienting and fantastically hollow dream sequence. David Aames (Tom Cruise), the spoiled inheritor to a publishing giant, lives the life others dream of. When not hobnobbing with celebrities, he’s courting supermodels. But all that changes when he meets Sofia (Penelope Cruz), a Spanish beauty who shows up to a party with David’s best friend, Brian (Jason Lee), but is instantly attracted to the magnetic playboy.David and Sofia spend one night together, a magical journey of infatuation and intrigue that’s familiar only to those lucky in love. The next morning, he leaves Sofia and is confronted by Julie, who has reached stalker status. David gets in Julie’s car, more to patronize her than to accompany her anywhere, but Julie drives off. She’s angry. She’s upset. She feels betrayed by David. And then, she drives her car off of a bridge. What follows is David’s psychological descent into madness, which we’re treated to in snippets. Though he survived the car crash, we catch up with David much later. Horribly disfigured from the accident, he sits in prison for murder, retelling his story to a skeptical psychiatrist (Kurt Russell) who’s none to eager to listen to David’s conspiracy theories. To reveal more would be criminal, and wouldn’t help clarify anyway.The material driving “Sky” just seems too coarse for Crowe, and the execution escapes him. When his charming trademark touches surface, they’re out of place, so bouncy Peter Gabriel tunes underscore dramatic readings and emotional breakthroughs. If anything, it’s an exercise for him, but he’s out of his element, and not playing to his strengths.“Sky” is so close to art. It’s ghostly and beautiful, but not Crowe’s forte. If it’s not your forte to stay with a movie, waiting patiently for a gratifying payoff, than “Vanilla Sky” is not for you. There are no small payoffs, and few enticements to continue playing along. You have to gut it out, just to receive an ending that won’t even satisfy you. But it makes no apologies, and it carries it through to the bitter end. Does that justify watching it? Unfortunately, no.Grade: C-THE EXTRAS“Prelude” is one of two entertainingly brief featurettes included with the “Sky” DVD. It follows Crowe and his team through production, accompanied by a narration that occasionally sounds like the director convincing himself (as well as us) that he’s created a masterpiece. The person holding the camera asks crew members, “What does this scene mean?” Oddly, no one can give a legitimate answer.The other feature, “Hitting It Hard,” follows Cruise, Cruz and Crowe on a global press tour to promote the film. The DVD contains an unreleased teaser trailer, as well as the international cut of the original trailer. A photo gallery comes equipped with an introduction by photographer Neal Preston, while a Leftfield/Afrika Bambaataa music video for “Afrika Shox” rounds out the supplementary features.Back to the meat of the DVD, Crowe, joined by wife Nancy Wilson, sits down for a commentary track that features snippets with Tom Cruise. Right off the bat, this commentary track beats out the one recently recorded for Crowe’s “Jerry Maguire” because it limits Cruise’s output. Nice enough guy … nothing to say. Wilson’s musical talents were better served on “Almost Famous,” as that soundtrack made more of an impact than here with “Sky.” Still, the track is lively and informative, something I’ve come to expect from Crowe – who’s suddenly very active with his films on DVD.Last but not least, the “Sky” DVD includes an interview with Sir Paul McCartney, who received an Oscar nomination for the title track he recorded for the film.Grade: B+OVERALL EXPERIENCE: CAfter viewing “Vanilla Sky” on DVD, I’m pleased to announce I’m not more satisfied with the film and its weak conclusion than I was going into it. The DVD is worth checking out for the Times Square scene alone. Beyond that, it’s Crowe’s void … fill it at your own risk.By Sean O’ConnellMay 21, 2002