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Vanilla Sky

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Vanilla Sky 2001 poster 2

Vanilla Sky is a 2001 American science fiction psychological thriller film directed, written, and co-produced by Cameron Crowe. It is an English-language adaptation of Alejandro Amenábar's 1997 Spanish film Open Your Eyes, which was written by Amenábar and Mateo Gil, with Penélope Cruz reprising her role from the original film. The film has been described as "an odd mixture of science fiction, romance and reality warp". The film stars Tom Cruise, Penélope Cruz, and Cameron Diaz, with Jason Lee and Kurt Russell in supporting roles. It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song, as well as Screen Actors Guild and Golden Globe Award nominations for Diaz's performance. The film was released in the United States on December 14, 2001 and in the United Kingdom on January 25, 2002.

Storyline[]

Plot[]

Tom Cruise stars as David Ames, a womanizing playboy who finds romantic redemption when he falls in love with his best friend's girlfriend Sofia (Penelope Cruz, reprising her role from the original film). Before that relationship can begin, however, David is coaxed into a car driven by an ex-lover, Julie (Cameron Diaz), who turns out to be suicidal. Driving her car off a bridge, Julie kills herself and horribly disfigures David. Reconstructive surgery and the loving support of Sofia seem to reverse David's luck, but eerie incidents are soon making him question the reality of his existence and his control over his life, even while he is suspected of complicity in Julie's death.

Genres[]

  • Romance
  • Science fiction
  • Psychological thriller
  • Fantasy
  • Thriller
  • Mystery

Motion Picture Rating[]

  • 16 (Argentina)
  • M (Australia) (original rating)
  • MA15+ (Australia) (2015, re-rating)
  • 14 (Brazil)
  • 14A (Canada)
  • K-15 (Finland)
  • Tous publics (France)
  • 16 (Germany)
  • IIB (Hong Kong)
  • 14 (Hungary)
  • 12 (Iceland)
  • 18 (India) (self-applied)
  • 15 (Ireland)
  • T (Italy)
  • G (Japan) (self-applied)
  • B (Mexico)
  • 12 (Netherlands)
  • PG (Nigeria)
  • 14 (Peru)
  • R-18 (Philippines)
  • 12 (Poland) (self-applied)
  • M/16 (Portugal)
  • 16+ (Russia)
  • R(A) (Singapore) (original rating)
  • M18 (Singapore) (re-rating)
  • 18 (South Korea)
  • 13 (Spain)
  • 11 (Sweden)
  • 14 (Switzerland) (canton of Geneva)
  • 14 (Switzerland) (canton of Vaud)
  • 13+ (Turkey) (DVD rating)
  • 15+ (Turkey) (original rating)
  • 15 (UK)
  • R (USA)

Images[]

Cast and Crew[]

Director[]

  • Cameron Crowe

Writing Credits[]

  • Cameron Crowe (screenplay)

Cast[]

  • Tom Cruise as David Aames
  • Penélope Cruz as Sofia Serrano
  • Cameron Diaz as Julianna "Julie" Gianni
  • Kurt Russell as Dr. Curtis McCabe
  • Jason Lee as Brian Shelby
  • Noah Taylor as Edmund Ventura/Tech Support
  • Timothy Spall as Thomas Tipp
  • Tilda Swinton as Rebecca Dearborn
  • Michael Shannon as Aaron
  • Ken Leung as Art Editor
  • Shalom Harlow as Colleen
  • Oona Hart as Lynette
  • Ivana Miličević as Emma
  • Johnny Galecki as Peter Brown
  • Alicia Witt as Libby
  • Laura Fraser as The Future
  • Conan O'Brien as Himself
  • Tommy Lee as Car Salesman
  • Steven Spielberg as Guest at David's Party (Uncredited)

Producers[]

  • Bill Block (executive producer)
  • Fernando Bovaira (executive producer)
  • Danny Bramson (executive producer)
  • Cameron Crowe (producer)
  • Tom Cruise (producer)
  • Michael Doven (associate producer)
  • Donald J. Lee Jr.(co-producer)
  • Endrick Lekay (assistant producer) (uncredited)
  • Scott M. Martin (associate producer)
  • Jonathan Sanger (executive producer)
  • Patrick Wachsberger (executive producer)
  • Paula Wagner (producer)

Details[]

Country[]

  • USA
  • UK

Language[]

  • English

Release Dates[]

  • December 10, 2001 (USA) (Hollywood, California) (premiere)
  • December 14, 2001 (Canada)
  • December 14, 2001 (USA)
  • December 16, 2001 (Taiwan) (premiere)
  • December 18, 2001 (Singapore) (premiere)
  • December 20, 2001 (Australia)
  • December 20, 2001 (Hong Kong)
  • December 21, 2001 (South Korea)
  • December 22, 2001 (Japan)
  • December 25, 2001 (Singapore)
  • December 28, 2001 (Mexico)
  • December 29, 2001 (Taiwan)
  • January 18, 2002 (Portugal)
  • January 23, 2002 (Belgium)
  • January 23, 2002 (Egypt)
  • January 23, 2002 (France)
  • January 24, 2002 (Argentina)
  • January 24, 2002 (Switzerland) (German speaking region)
  • January 24, 2002 (Czechia)
  • January 24, 2002 (Germany)
  • January 24, 2002 (Hungary)
  • January 24, 2002 (Israel)
  • January 24, 2002 (Netherlands)
  • January 24, 2002 (Peru)
  • January 24, 2002 (Russia)
  • January 25, 2002 (Austria)
  • January 25, 2002 (Brazil)
  • January 25, 2002 (Colombia)
  • January 25, 2002 (Finland)
  • January 25, 2002 (UK)
  • January 25, 2002 (Greece)
  • January 25, 2002 (Ireland)
  • January 25, 2002 (Iceland)
  • January 25, 2002 (Kazakhstan)
  • January 25, 2002 (Sweden)
  • January 25, 2002 (Turkey)
  • January 25, 2002 (South Africa)
  • February 1, 2002 (Cyprus)
  • February 1, 2002 (Denmark)
  • February 1, 2002 (Estonia)
  • February 1, 2002 (Spain)
  • February 1, 2002 (Italy)
  • February 1, 2002 (Norway)
  • February 7, 2002 (Philippines) (Manila)
  • February 13, 2002 (Philippines) (Davao)
  • March 8, 2002 (Latvia)
  • March 12, 2002 (Kuwait)
  • March 15, 2002 (Poland)
  • March 15, 2002 (Romania)
  • April 5, 2002 (Bulgaria)
  • July 5, 2002 (Finland) (re-release)
  • 2006 (UK) (ITV broadcast) (Network premiere)
  • June 30, 2018 (India)

Reception[]

Critical response[]

This film has a rating om IMDb and a 42% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Company Credits[]

Production Companies[]

  • Paramount Pictures (presents)
  • Cruise/Wagner Productions (as Cruise/Wagner)
  • Vinyl Films
  • Sogecine (in association with)
  • Summit Entertainment (in association with)
  • Artisan Entertainment (in association with)

Distributors[]

  • Paramount Pictures (2001) (USA) (theatrical) (a Viacom company)
  • Paramount Pictures (2001) (Canada) (theatrical)
  • East West (2002) (Russia) (theatrical)
  • United International Pictures (UIP) (2002) (Argentina) (theatrical)
  • United International Pictures (UIP) (2002) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
  • United International Pictures (UIP) (2002) (Germany) (theatrical)
  • United International Pictures (UIP) (2002) (Spain) (theatrical)
  • United International Pictures (UIP) (2002) (France) (theatrical)
  • United International Pictures (UIP) (2002) (Greece) (theatrical)
  • United International Pictures (UIP) (2002) (Italy) (theatrical)
  • United International Pictures (UIP) (2002) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
  • Argentina Video Home (2002) (Argentina) (DVD)
  • Argentina Video Home (2002) (Argentina) (VHS)
  • CIC-Taft Home Video (2002) (Australia) (VHS)
  • Paramount Home Entertainment (2002) (Brazil) (DVD)
  • Paramount Home Entertainment (2002) (Brazil) (VHS)
  • Paramount Home Entertainment (2002) (Germany) (DVD)
  • Paramount Home Entertainment (2002) (Netherlands) (DVD) (VHS)
  • Paramount Home Entertainment (2002) (USA) (DVD)
  • Paramount Home Video (2002) (Canada) (DVD)
  • Canal+ (2003) (Netherlands) (TV) (limited)
  • Net5 (2004) (Netherlands) (TV)
  • Warner Home Video (2014) (USA) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
  • Paramount Home Entertainment (2015) (Germany) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
  • Warner Home Video (2015) (USA) (Blu-ray)
  • ITV (2006) (UK) (TV) (Network premiere)
  • Deejay TV - NOVE (2016) (Italy) (TV)
  • Paramount Home Entertainment (2019) (Netherlands) (Blu-ray) (through Universal Pictures Benelux)
  • Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (2019) (Netherlands) (Blu-ray)
  • Universal Pictures (2019) (Netherlands) (Blu-ray)

Special Effects[]

  • CFX (special visual effects)
  • Cinesite (Hollywood) (visual effects) (as Cinesite)
  • Digiscope (visual effects)
  • Digital Domain (special visual effects and digital animation) (as Digital Domain Inc.)
  • KNB EFX Group (special makeup effects) (as Kurtzman, Nicotero & Berger EFX Group Inc.)
  • Ranchworks Unlimited (digital effects: Lucid Dream)
  • Snow Business International (snow effects)
  • The Orphanage (digital video effects: The Magic Bullet)

Other Companies[]

  • ADAGP, Paris (copyright owner: painting by Balthus, "Le Parti de Cartes" © 2000)
  • Artists Rights Society (copyright owner: painting by Balthus, "Le Parti de Cartes" © 2000) (as Artists Rights Society [ARS] New York)
  • Artists Rights Society (copyright owner: paintings by Mark Rothko © 2000) (as Artists Rights Society [ARS] New York)
  • Astoria Films (Production Services)
  • Behind the Scenes Freight (shipping by)
  • BlueSanet Recordings (thanks)
  • CBS Broadcasting (courtesy of: use of clip from "Twilight Zone, The") (as CBS Broadcasting Inc.)
  • Central Casting (extras casting)
  • Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment (camera cranes)
  • Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment (camera dollies)
  • Condé Nast Publications (thanks) (as Conde Nast Publications)
  • DeLuxe Laboratories (color timing) (as Deluxe)
  • Direct Tools & Fasteners (expendables)
  • Elektra Entertainment Group (courtesy of: "Big Time Sensuality" performed by Bjork)
  • Executive Assurance (security)
  • Films Montsouris (copyright owner: "The Red Balloon", written and directed by Albert Lamorisse © 1956)
  • For Stars Catering (catering)
  • Grant Wilfley Casting (extras casting: New York)
  • Intellectual Properties Management (license granted by: for the use of the image of Martin Luther King, Jr.) (as Intellectual Properties Managment, Atlanta, Georgia)
  • Irdial Discs (thanks)
  • Joe Facing Catering (craft service: New York)
  • Kehoe Brothers (craft service)
  • MGM Clip + Still (courtesy of: use of clip from "Dr. No" © 1962 Eon Productions, Ltd. All rights reserved.)
  • MK2 Diffusion (licensed courtesy of: "Jules and Jim" written and directed by François Truffaut, based on the Pierre Henri Roche novel "Jules and Jim" © 1962 - Les Films du Carosse) (as MK2)
  • Mary Nelson-Duerrstein & Associates (negative cutters)
  • Matador Records (courtesy of: "Cross Bones Style" by Cat Power)
  • Maxim Magazine (thanks)
  • Miele (thanks)
  • Movie Movers (star trailers)
  • Musco Light Inc. (Musco light provided by) (as Musco Lighting)
  • NASDAQ Stock Market (thanks)
  • NBC Studios (courtesy of: clip from "Late Night with Conan O'Brien")
  • New York City Ballet (thanks)
  • One Little Indian Records (courtesy of: "Big Time Sensuality" performed by Bjork)
  • Pacific Title (titles and optical effects)
  • Paramount Pictures (courtesy of: scenes from "Betty Boop")
  • Paramount Pictures (courtesy of: scenes from "Heckle & Jeckle")
  • Paramount Pictures (courtesy of: scenes from "Sabrina")
  • Paramount Pictures (digital sound editing)
  • Reelin in the Years Productions (courtesy of: John Coltrane footage) (as Reelin' in the Years, Productions L.L.C.)
  • Reprise Records (soundtrack available on)
  • Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division (used by permission from: drawing from Kay Thompson's "Eloise" created by Hilary Knight)
  • Soundelux (digital sound editing)
  • StudioCanal (courtesy of: poster from "Breathless" directed by Jean-Luc Godard © 1959 StudioCanal Image - Societe Nouvelle de Cinematographie)
  • Sunmin Park (thanks)
  • The New York City Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting (thanks) (as City of New York Office of Film, Television and Broadcasting)
  • The Who Films (courtesy of: clip from "Baba O'Reilly" as contained in the film "The Kids Are Alright") (as The Who)
  • Twentieth Century Fox (courtesy of: still from "The Seven Year Itch") (as Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation)
  • Universal Studios Licensing (courtesy of: use of clips from "Leave It to Beaver") (as Universal Studios Licensing, Inc.)
  • Universal Studios Licensing (courtesy of: use of clips from "To Kill a Mockingbird") (as Universal Studios Licensing, Inc.)
  • Waterworks LLC (thanks)

Technical Specs[]

Runtime[]

  • 136 mins
  • 141 mins (alternate ending)

Color[]

  • Color

Aspect Ratio[]

  • 1.85:1
  • 4:3 (Full screen prints)

Trivia[]

  • In the very beginning of the film, a whispering voice is heard: "Abre los ojos" (Spanish for "Open your eyes".) Vanilla Sky is a remake of a Spanish film titled Open Your Eyes (1997).
  • The smashed Gibson SG electric guitar is not a genuine Pete Townshend smashed guitar. It's a replica. Cameron Crowe says in his commentary that he "really, really wished" he had a genuine Townsend.
  • During the pop culture montage scene towards the end of the movie a picture of Nancy Wilson (wife of Cameron Crowe) from Heart can be seen.
  • In the Times Square sequence at the beginning of the movie, one of the images that flashes for only a few frames is of Katie Holmes on the cover of a magazine. Holmes later married Tom Cruise.
  • Cameron Crowe and Tom Cruise both tried to persuade legendary director Billy Wilder to make an appearance in the film, but he declined.
  • The film opens with the song "Everything in Its Right Place" by Radiohead. Chorus of the song is "Yesterday I woke up sucking on a lemon" - These words relate directly to Brian Shelby's sweet and sour speeches.
  • Throughout the film, numerous characters order a Jack and Coke. This goes further to support Brian's "sweet and sour" argument that is the theme of the picture.
  • The title Vanilla Sky was considered for Cameron Crowe's previous movie, Almost Famous (2000). The original title for Almost Famous was actually "Untitled", however DreamWorks would not allow this, so Cameron Crowe titled the bootleg edition of Almost Famous on DVD "Untitled".
  • During the ending clips montage, one of the clips is David shooting an officer in the lobby just before he meets tech support. This was from an extended scene filmed that never made the final cut.
  • The second Cameron Crowe film to use a Peter Gabriel song. The first one being Say Anything... (1989).
  • Cameron Diaz and Penelope Cruz reunite later in the film The Counselor (2013).
  • Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz would reunite in Knight and Day (2010).

Crazy Credits[]

  • The end credits are done to a background of a skyscape changing the various colors of the day.
  • There are no opening credits for the film.
  • Thanks to Conan O'Brien and all at Late Night.

Connections[]

Remake of[]

  • Open Your Eyes (1997)

References[]

  • The Sound of Music (1965)
  • Mādadayo (1993) - The end credits roll over a technicolor sky.
  • Friends: The One Where Chandler Crosses the Line (1997) (TV Episode) - David Aames has a TV that appears as if from nowhere.
  • Existenz (1999)
  • Almost Famous (2000)
  • Rugrats in Paris (2000) - poster seen on a building in times square.

Referenced in[]

  • Minority Report (2002)
  • 8 Mile (2002) - Like the line from Vanilla Sky, the tagline for 8 Mile was "Every moment is a chance to turn it all around", even though Eminem's rap for 8 Mile had the line "You only get one shot".

Features[]

  • Dr. No (1962)
  • Almost Famous (2000)
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