how strange the human mind be while this center of activity wherein perception of reality be form and store and and in which one view of the world hinge on the finely tuned functioning of the brain and this most delicate and intricate processor of all thing sensory . and how much do we really know of it inner working and of it depth or capacity . what be it in the mind that allow u to discern between reality and a dream . or can we . perhaps our sense of reality be no more than an impression of what we actually see and like look at a painting by monet and in which the vanilla sky of his vision become our reality . it a concept visit by filmmaker cameron crowe in his highly imaginative and consciousness altering film and ` vanilla sky and star tom cruise and penelope cruz . at the age of thirty three and david aames ( cruise ) inherit a publishing empire leave to him by his father . his fifty one percent control interest and however and have make him something of a marked man and a there be seven member of his board of director and and each deem himself more worthy than the young mr. aames of the lion share of the company . and fuel the fire of discontent be their perception that david lack the focus the job require . admittedly and david like to play while still and he in control of the business and do what he see fit and whether the board ( he refer to them a the ` seven dwarf ) like it or not and and no one have ever have the courage to challenge him directly . but during a lavish birthday party in his honor and one of the corporate lawyer and thomas tipp ( timothy spall ) warn david that the seven be up to something behind his back . at the time and however and it the last thing on david mind while he be have a casual affair with a friend and julie gianni ( cameron diaz ) and but even that move to the back burner when he meet a woman at his party that he can not get out of his mind . her name be sofia ( penelope cruz ) and and after know her for only one night and she become a pivotal part of his life which be about to be turn upside down and a on the morning after his party he make a decision that will change his life forever . and he be about to learn that sometimes and there be simply no go back . director cameron crowe have craft and deliver much more than just another film with this one while far more than a movie and ` vanilla sky be a vision realize . begin with the first image that appear on screen and he present a visually stunning experience that be both viscerally and cerebrally affect . it a mind twist mystery that will swallow you up and sweep you away while emotionally and it a rush and it may leave you exhaust and because it require some effort to stay with it . but it worth it . think ` memento with a drive rock n roll soundtrack and a vibrant assault of color proffer by the stroke of an impressionist brush . there darkness and light and and sound that pound and drive until you can feel the blood rush through your vein and throb in your brain . and all play out on a landscape of virtual reality swirl beneath that ever expand vanilla sky . simply put and this one a real trip while it excite and it a mind bender . a to the performance here and those who can not get past the mind set of tom cruise a maverick in ` top gun and or his ethan hunt in ` mission impossible and or those who perceive him only a a ` movie star rather than an actor and be go to have to think again in light of his work here . because a david aames and cruise give the best performance of his career and one that should check any doubt a to his ability a an actor at the door . he make some interesting career choice the past few year and with film like ` magnolia and ` eye wide shut merely warm ups for the very real and complex character he create here . and give him credit and too and for take on a role that dispel any sense of vanity while this be cruise a you have never see him before . ` jerry maguire earn him an oscar nomination and and this one should and also as well a the admiration and acclaim of his peer . cruise be not just good in this movie and he be remarkable . penelope cruz turn in an outstanding and if not exceptional performance and as well and a sofia and the woman of david dream . there an alluring innocence she bring to this role that work well for her character and make her forthcoming and accessible and yet she lack any hint of mystery that may have add that special omething extra to the part . but crowe know how to get the best out of his actor and and he certainly do with cruz . he also know what he be do with cameron diaz and who be absolutely vibrant in the role of julie . she never look good and and fairly sizzle on screen . but make no mistake and this be no ` window dress part and and diaz delivers a complete package with this character . the quality of her performance can be measure and in fact and in the impact she make with rather limited screen time . and it the persona she integrate so fully with her innate beauty that make julie so unforgettable . overall and a terrific job by diaz . the support cast include kurt russell ( dr. mccabe ) and jason lee ( brian ) and johnny galecki ( peter ) and armand schultz ( dr. pomerantz ) and noah taylor ( ed ) and mel thompson ( ` l. e. man ) and jean carol ( woman in new york ) and john fedevich ( silent ed ) . about half way through and this one may have you question your own sense of reality while but rest assure and by the end of ` vanilla sky all will be reveal . it a reality bender and to be sure and and a wild one while but this be excite entertainment that offer a satisfying and unique experience and one you have to see to believe . it the essential and and absolute and magic of the movie . positive .