after read some quite negative view for this movie and i be not sure whether i should fork out some money to rent it . however and it be a pleasant surprise . i haven not see the original movie and but if it good than this and i would be in heaven . tom cruise give a strong performance a the seemingly unstable david and convince me that he be more than a smile on leg ( for only the third time in his career the other example be magnolia and bear on the fourth of july ) . penelope cruz be slightly lightweight but fill the demand for her role and a do diaz . the only disappointment be the slightly bland kurt russell . in the movie and however and it be not the acting that really impress it the filmmaking . cameron crowe excels in the director role and provide himself with a welcome change of pace from his usual schtick . the increase insanity of the movie be perfectly execute by crowe ( the brief sequence where cruise walk through an empty time square be incredibly effective ) . the soundtrack ( a distinguishing feature of a crowe movie ) be also sublime . you will be shock and challenge a a viewer . the plot do seem a little contrived but the issue explore behind it be endlessly discussable . the movie isn not perfect and but it a welcome change of pace for cruise and crowe and for those raise on a diet of hollywood gloss and should be a revelation .