César (Eduardo Noriega) is a young, handsome man who enjoys success, primarily due to his good health and the wealth his parents left him after a tragic incident. However, César prefers to keep things casual when it comes to love. He is known for engaging in numerous one-night stands and is reluctant to commit to serious relationships. Is César afraid of commitment, or has he not yet found his true love? Currently, César is involved in a sexual relationship with a woman named Nuria (Najwa Nimri). While Nuria is deeply in love with him, César only desires a physical connection on his terms and has no interest in getting to know her beyond that. He doesn’t even know her last name or where she lives.
One evening, César celebrates his birthday with guests and close friends. Among them is his best friend, Pelayo (Fele Martínez), who has brought with him a woman named Sofía (Penélope Cruz), whom he met in a library. When César first sees Sofía, he is immediately drawn to her and starts a conversation. Meanwhile, Nuria approaches César flirtatiously, but it’s evident that he has no intentions to be with her romantically and even reminds her that he never invited her to his private birthday party. Nuria brushes off César’s rejections with jokes about him being more interested in his new brunette, Sofía, and wishes him good luck. César is captivated by Sofía and continues to pursue her, feeling as though he has found love for the first time.
However, the following day, César is involved in a terrible car accident that leaves his face severely disfigured. As he navigates the aftermath, he remains determined to win Sofía’s affection while also focusing on reconstructive surgery to rebuild his face, regardless of the costs and pain required for the procedure. César’s life has suddenly transformed from what felt like a dream into a nightmare.
Open Your Eyes contains elements of drama and mystery. As the film unfolds, it becomes a psychological thriller and mystery as numerous unexplainable events begin to occur in César’s life. The film was co-written and directed by Alejandro Amenábar, who is also known for his other works, such as The Others (2001) and Thesis (1996).
The film begins with the appearance of a typical romance story, but to my surprise, this film is much more than what any audience member might expect. Open Your Eyes takes viewers on an incredible journey filled with reveals and outcomes that are impossible to predict on the first viewing. The film contains many heartfelt and touching moments as César embarks on a quest for true love and a newfound desire for a reality that feels neither like a washed-up dream nor a horrible nightmare.
Alejandro Amenábar’s direction is impressive and masterful. The film contains many creative and memorable moments and several touching scenes. As a thriller, it features unexpected jump scares that are both shocking and frightening. Eduardo Noriega and Penélope Cruz’s performances are heartfelt, and their chemistry makes their interactions feel realistic and compelling. Although the character César is initially unlikeable, viewers will find themselves invested in his journey, hoping for a positive outcome by the film’s end.
Overall, Open Your Eyes is a phenomenal mystery film that combines strong elements of drama, thrills, and unexpected touches of romance and sci-fi. It is masterfully directed by Alejandro Amenábar, with creativity and beauty throughout. While you might initially think it’s a simple romance story, it offers much more than that. Viewers will find predicting the film’s twists and outcomes nearly impossible. The performances by actors Eduardo Noriega and Penélope Cruz are genuinely sweet, charming, and highly dependable. Open Your Eyes is an outstanding film that immerses viewers in a wide range of emotions, leaving them with a sense of having experienced something impactful and delightful. It’s a must-watch!
Open Your Eyes (1997) is Now Available on Blu-ray thanks to Umbrella Entertainment!
FILM SCORE: FINESSE!
Published: 4th January 2024
Written by: Peter Walkden
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