Roger Ebert’s Near-Perfect Review of Tom Cruise’s Worst Movie Is Still a Mystery 24 Years Later

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Describing this actor as simply a movie star wouldn’t be enough. He’s the lead in acclaimed films like Eyes Wide Shut and Mission: Impossible, and has consistently earned praise throughout his impressive Hollywood career. He has a remarkable talent for choosing excellent projects. While not every film has been a success – a 2001 release being a notable example – even those films often received positive attention, including a favorable review from Roger Ebert.

Tom Cruise has been a major movie star since the 1980s, and consistently delivers entertaining films – from beloved classics like Rain Man and Top Gun to more recent hits like American Made. While he’s had a remarkably successful career, not every film has been a winner. Interestingly, one of his least-regarded movies, Cameron Crowe’s Vanilla Sky, surprisingly earned praise from film critic Roger Ebert. Known for his unique perspective, Ebert – writing for the Chicago Sun-Times – stood out as a defender of the film.

Vanilla Sky Remade a Spanish Gem

The film follows David Aames Jr., a successful publisher who took over his father’s business. Inspired by the movie Open Your Eyes, the story starts with David in prison, wearing a mask to hide his injuries. He tells a psychologist about his past, and we see how his life changed when he fell in love with Sofia Serrano. Their happiness is shattered when David’s jealous ex-girlfriend causes a car accident, resulting in her death and leaving David permanently disfigured and needing to wear a mask. Devastated by the trauma, he withdraws from everyone. But when he reconnects with Sofia, his life begins to improve.

Vanilla Sky starts as a love story but quickly becomes a science fiction thriller as David experiences increasingly bizarre events – like confusing flashbacks and the feeling that he can control reality. The film mainly focuses on his deep love for Sofia and how a shifting, dreamlike world drives him to a breaking point, eventually leading to his imprisonment. As things fall apart, both David and the viewer start to suspect that something isn’t right. In a clever twist, it’s revealed that much of what we’ve seen is actually a highly realistic simulation. Aames, feeling hopeless about his life, chose to be cryogenically frozen and live out a perfect dream where he could be with Sofia, rather than face a life without her.

Roger Ebert Was a Rare Defender of Cameron Crowe’s Film

When Vanilla Sky was first released, critics were divided. While some appreciated its bold ideas, many found the movie confusing and disjointed. The film does create a strong, dreamlike mood, shifting between dark, somber moments and beautiful, peaceful scenes. This contrast ultimately makes sense, but it can be challenging for viewers. A common criticism focused on Tom Cruise’s performance as David Aames. Though he had a few strong scenes, he generally didn’t impress, and his character often felt stiff and unengaging. At times, Aames even came across as unlikeable, even when the film tried to make audiences feel sorry for him.

In a review of the film, Ebert called it morally sound and admitted it was complex – even after seeing it twice, he wasn’t entirely sure he fully understood it. However, he found it enjoyable and praised the strong on-screen connection between Tom Cruise and both Cameron Diaz and Penélope Cruz.

Roger Ebert’s review highlighted a key aspect of the film that will likely divide audiences. He described the plot as a complex, looping structure, similar to an impossible Escher staircase – seemingly logical step-by-step, but ultimately leading back to the beginning. While some viewers might enjoy this disorienting, non-linear approach, others may find it confusing and frustrating. Although Ebert acknowledged the story felt somewhat muddled rather than clearly structured, he still found merit in Crowe’s interpretation.

Roger Ebert noted that Vanilla Sky shared similarities with other mind-bending thrillers released around the same time. He believed the point wasn’t to fully understand these films, but to be captivated by stories that stretched the boundaries of imagination. Cameron Crowe’s film, in particular, unfolds through the perspective of a narrator who isn’t trustworthy—he’s trapped within a flawed simulation of his own making, one built on what he wants to believe, not what is actually real.

Vanilla Sky Has One Redeeming Feature

Though much of Vanilla Sky feels confusing and disjointed, Cameron Crowe delivers a remarkably strong ending. Through Tom Cruise’s performance, beautiful music, and touching flashbacks, the film finally comes into its own. The ending feels distinct from the rest of the movie, largely because it’s the first time we see a clear understanding of what’s happening from Aames’ perspective. Before that, everything is filtered through his narration or occurs while he’s unknowingly in a simulation. It’s only when Ventura starts to explain things that the story truly makes sense.

The last ten minutes of Vanilla Sky powerfully highlight the sadness in David Aames’ life, making him a truly sympathetic character. This ending is remarkable because it completely changes how you feel about him after initially finding him unlikeable, proving how much work went into crafting that sequence. It’s understandable why Roger Ebert left the theater with a good feeling, as endings often leave the strongest impression. However, upon multiple viewings, it becomes clear that Vanilla Sky is ultimately a flawed film, saved by its excellent music and that impactful ending.

If you appreciate science fiction that’s thought-provoking, dreamlike, and unfolds gradually, you might find things to like in Vanilla Sky. However, it’s a dense film, and once you understand the story—as Roger Ebert pointed out—there isn’t much reason to rewatch it.

Vanilla Sky Was an Ambitious Remake

While not a perfect film, Vanilla Sky aimed high and ultimately feels more disjointed than truly bad. Remakes always struggle to stand out from the original, and director Cameron Crowe couldn’t quite elevate this one. Tom Cruise brings his usual charisma, but the storytelling and some of the acting fall flat. Despite its flaws, the movie boasts a fantastic soundtrack and some visually stunning moments, showcasing impressive cinematography at times.

Roger Ebert was known for having unique opinions and championing films that others often overlooked. So, it’s fitting he appreciated Crowe’s remake, even if the lead actor was capable of much greater work. With films like Eyes Wide Shut and Magnolia under his belt, he’s proven he deserves roles beyond Vanilla Sky.

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2025-11-07 03:07