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Open Your Eyes (1997) Reviews

Open Your Eyes (1997)
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The line between dreams and reality become increasingly blurred after a womanizing playboy is nearly killed by a jilted lover in Spanish director Alejandro Amenabar's masterful sophomore effort Abre Los Ojos (Open Your Eyes). It would seem as if Cesar (Eduardo Noriega) has it all. Handsome, charming, and with money to burn, he can get any girl he wants, and usually does so on a nightly basis. Following a birthday party in which he chats up Sofia (Penelope Cruz), the date of his best friend Pelayo (Fele Martinez), Cesar is plunged headfirst into a nightmare world when jealous former lover Nuria (Najwa Nimri) swallows a handful of pills and sends her car careening into a cement wall with the terrified playboy as her hapless passenger. With his formerly strikingly handsome face now twisted into a hideous mass of scarred flesh, Cesar's ugly emotions are now externalized for all to see. Pining for a plastic-surgery miracle to return him to his former glory so that he can seek out Sofia and take a chance at real love, he is pleasantly surprised when the doctors make a breakthrough and Sofia accepts him back into her life. Although all seems perfect for the moment, the formerly soulless player finds that this is only the beginning of his increasingly disturbing journey. Why is Sofia changing appearance and turning into Nuria periodically? And why won't the police and his psychiatrist believe Cesar's desperate attempts to rationalize a world that is growing increasingly surreal? Could it have something to do with a doctor Cesar has seen on television who keeps appearing and attempting to help him out of his nightmare? Peeling away at the layers of his subconscious, Cesar begins to realize that reality is no more than a state of mind, and that in order to get his life back he may be forced to take unthinkable measures. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Starring:
Eduardo Noriega, Penélope Cruz, (more)
Director(s):
Alejandro Amenábar
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
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Average Ratings

(34 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Celia N.

We may be the only reviewers that had not seen Vanilla Sky first, which sounds like a 'plus' to me. We didn't know where this was going and found it extremely engaging. You are never sure what is a dream or reality until the end. The script is very tight and well written. The acting superb. Pay attention to the cinematography as it is reinforces the script immensely. If you like a movie that requires you to 'think' and 'analyze' to understand, then see Abre los Ohos. And while you're at it, see Director Amenabar's other movies as well.

Yes   |   No


Andrea P.

I don't care much for "Abre los Ojos", but perhaps that's mainly because I first saw the English remake, "Vanilla Sky", and, as a result, nothing in the original came as a surprise for me. Sometimes it makes sense to see both the original and the remake, especially if they are in different languages. In this case, it is not only unnecessary, but a complete waste of time, because the remake so utterly follows the original script. I do think the acting and cinematography are much better in "Vanilla Sky", though. In general, there is a method to Spanish acting that displeases me: The actors seem to race through their lines, while displaying minimal emotion, except for anger or irritation. American acting allows for much broader physical and verbal expression. That feeling was certainly enforced after I viewed these two films. If you are deciding between the two, I recommend "Vanilla Sky" as the better film (although it is still far from one of my favorites).

Yes   |   No


Gabriel S.

If you liked Vanilla Sky then you should see this movie. It has much better acting and makes Vanilla Sky wanting more.

Yes   |   No


Oscar P.

I had no idea that this was the original to Vanilla Sky. Now I know why it was so hard to follow, although I understood this one more than I did the remake. Very wierd movie and would have hated to be in this guys shoes. Except for being with Penelope Cruz, of course.

Yes   |   No


Keith G.

Mostly fascinating, if occasionally a bit far fetched for it's own good. Multiple realities and questions of perception always fascinate me, and this was no exception. Additionally, most of the performances were very, very strong. But it did have a few moments of seeming too pleased with itself for how clever it was, and the end made me wonder if the whole thing wasn't a bit more shallow than I was giving it credit for being. None the less, beautifully shot, and full of interesting ideas and unexpected twists. I should probably see it again. I liked it quite a bit on first viewing, and it's one of those complex, challenging films that might grow even better on repeated viewings.

Yes   |   No


Joe B.

What a great movie - well done, great ending! And again Penelope Cruz was hot as ever.

Yes   |   No


Lawrence B.

So much better than Vanilla Sky!

Yes   |   No


John V.

Yes, very "Vanilla Sky" in nature. Not very lighthearted, but psychologically dark and provocative. If you haven't seen Vanilla Sky OR this movie I recommend both, but if you are not a native Spanish speaker, you may wish to watch this second. If you've see one I recommend seeing the other as well.

Yes   |   No


LorraineandLisa B.

i did not like this movie

Yes   |   No


Charles F.

I liked this movie (the original) so much better then Vanilla Sky -- great acting, great story, and great cinematography. I highly recommend it.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Member Reviews
    Read all (34)
     
    Celia N.

    We may be the only reviewers that had not seen Vanilla Sky first, which sounds like a 'plus' to me. We didn't know where this was going and found it extremely engaging. You are never sure what is a dream or reality until the end. The script is very tight and well written. The acting superb. Pay attention to the cinematography as it is reinforces the script immensely. If you like a movie that requires you to 'think' and 'analyze' to understand, then see Abre los Ohos. And while you're at it, see Director Amenabar's other movies as well.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Andrea P.

    I don't care much for "Abre los Ojos", but perhaps that's mainly because I first saw the English remake, "Vanilla Sky", and, as a result, nothing in the original came as a surprise for me. Sometimes it makes sense to see both the original and the remake, especially if they are in different languages. In this case, it is not only unnecessary, but a complete waste of time, because the remake so utterly follows the original script. I do think the acting and cinematography are much better in "Vanilla Sky", though. In general, there is a method to Spanish acting that displeases me: The actors seem to race through their lines, while displaying minimal emotion, except for anger or irritation. American acting allows for much broader physical and verbal expression. That feeling was certainly enforced after I viewed these two films. If you are deciding between the two, I recommend "Vanilla Sky" as the better film (although it is still far from one of my favorites).

    Yes   |   No

     
    Gabriel S.

    If you liked Vanilla Sky then you should see this movie. It has much better acting and makes Vanilla Sky wanting more.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 34 Reviews
       

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