Abre los Ojos – the real Vanilla Sky

I had no idea Vanilla Sky was a remake. I found it shitty back in 2004 when I’ve initially watched it but nonetheless found some awesome ideas that could’ve been exploited differently by the director. Penelope and Cameron Diaz were both credible in their roles, while Tom Cruise, using his usual anti-charismatic dimwit smile, was nothing more than a turn back from the actual interesting premise. And plus, all that cheaphole overall dramatic cliché effects that Hollywood uses over and over turn me off from an interesting movie.

And only recently I find out Vanilla Sky was a remake after a Spanish movie. Here I come, fancy European creation! Fear not, though. I’m far from a cultural snob. My favorite movie ever is still American. So anyway.

Back to Abre los Ojos.

Tremendous movie. Good casting. Eduardo Noriega and Penelope Cruz (who plays the same role in the US version) have real charisma and give the impression of real people instead of cardboard boxes from Crowe’s adaptation. The story is compelling and makes you want to see what will be going on next. It’s the type of mysterious allure that good movies of this kind have: not confusing enough to make you want to leave, and not clear enough in order to keep you glued to the screen.

After viewing this movie I kept wondering: why is it I like so much this version and why Vanilla Sky was so unappealing? It’s not like the story is dramatically changed or anything. But then I realized I think. It’s the lack of Hollywoodian artifice, both in acting and in visual style that makes Abre Los Ojos so much more film-like and turns you away from the constant feeling you’re watching a blockbuster. Moreover, my distaste of Tom Cruise made it painful to keep watching, so the initial cast was also a better idea. Why on earth did they decide to remake Abre Los Ojos since it didn’t need no makeover whatsoever? The special effects and the makeup are great, the acting is good, everything is put in order. Couldn’t they just distribute it in America or is the American audience too lazy to read subtitles?