ActorPenélope Cruzmade a splash with a 1997 role, and was good enough to warrant playing the part again in a more famous remake. Born in Spain in 1974,Cruz is an actor who has appeared in both Spanish and English-language movies. She got her start in acting as a teenager, playing roles in music videos and one-off episodes of television throughout the early 1990s. She continued acting, predominantly inSpanish-language projects, throughout the 1990s.
In 1997, Cruz played the lead role of Sofia in the Alejandro Amenábar-directed filmOpen Your Eyes. The film stars Cruz as a young woman who becomes the love interest of a man who suffers from a car accident that results in him needing to have his face surgically rebuilt. In addition to Cruz,Open Your Eyesfeatures a leading cast including Eduardo Noriega, Chete Lera, Fele Martínez, Najwa Nimri, and Gerard Barray. Cruz was praised for her role in the film, but that was not the only time she would play the part.
Penelope Cruz Appears In Both Open Your Eyes & Vanilla Sky In The Same Role
Cruz Was Cast In The American Remake 4 Years Later
Not only does Cruz play the leading female role inOpen Your Eyes, but she also ended up playing therole inVanilla Sky.Vanilla Skyis a remake of Amenábar’s film, which was directed by Cameron Crowe and was released in 2001.Vanilla Skyhad the same main plot asOpen Your Eyes, and even the same name for the female love interest, Sofia. Cruz played the role in bothOpen Your EyesandVanilla Sky, the latter being in the English language.
When Vanilla Sky’s Reality Ends (& Which Scenes Are Dreams)
Vanilla Sky has a winding narrative of flashbacks and events that may or may not be dreams. What’s real and what’s imagined isn’t easy to uncover.
Other than Cruz, the cast is changed forVanilla Sky. Taking over Noriega’s lead role of César is Tom Cruise, whose character name is changed to David Aames. In addition to Cruise and Cruz,Vanilla Skyfeatures a leading cast including Cameron Diaz, Kurt Russell, Jason Lee, Noah Taylor, Timothy Spall, Tilda Swinton, and Michael Shannon.Vanilla Skyhas become the much more well-known version of the story.
Vanilla Skywas nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song.
Which Is Better? Open Your Eyes Vs. Vanilla Sky
Penélope Cruz’s performance inOpen Your Eyeswas great enough for her to be cast again inVanilla Sky, and her part in the Tom Cruise remake does not disappoint. BothOpen Your EyesandVanilla Skyare well regarded by their fans, however,Open Your Eyesis ultimately the purest version of the story.Open Your Eyeshas a Certified Fresh 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, whereasVanilla Skyonly has a 42% score. Amenábar’s vision is present and clear inOpen Your Eyes, making the Spanish-language drama the overall better film.
Vanilla Sky
Cast
Vanilla Sky is a psychological thriller directed by Cameron Crowe, featuring Tom Cruise as a wealthy publishing magnate named David Aames. Released in 2001, the film explores themes of identity, reality, and the consequences of one’s actions, intertwined with surreal events. Co-starring Penélope Cruz and Cameron Diaz, the film is known for its intricate narrative and engaging performances. Vanilla Sky is a remake of the Spanish film “Open Your Eyes.”
