Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

director: Stanley Kubrick

writer: Stanley Kubrick

starring: Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman

genre: Drama

Stanley Kubrick in his last film gave us a mesmerizing motion picture that makes us wonder of our own intention's, jealousy's and curiosities in the game called love. And where those feelings and thoughts may take us in this weird world that we live in.

We follow the couple of Dr. Bill (Tom Cruise) and Alice (Nicole Kidman) who enjoy a happy and full life. But life that is happy sometimes hides unsatisfactory details. While in bed the both of them have a discussion on affairs and looks. Once Bill finds out of his wife's fantasies for another man his jealousy caves in, that leads him into a odyssey threw out New York. From a encounter with a prostitute on the road to a secret sexual gathering, Bill will have to go through many feelings and realizations for what is his the point of his marriage and what he should truly value and cherish.

The film is misunderstood by many. One of the main reasons was the promotional advertisements of the film before its release. The trailer of the film mislead many people into thinking that it was only about sex. And showing Cruise and Kidman naked just kissing each other how could anyone not think it's just about sex. But anyone who knows of Kubrick's work could have understood that the film must have been deeper than that. The film is not just about sex but more about what revolves around a relationship or marriage. In the film Dr. Bill learns the lesson that trust is the most important factor in a relationship and without it you don't have anything. Also the fact that jealousy, and temptation can be equally damaging to a couple as do lies and deceit. Just the thought of betraying your partner can be the beginning of the end for a relationship.

The film is wonderfully acted by the then married couple Tom Cruise and Kidman. Perfect choices by Kubrick. Their chemistry is outstanding. Cruise should get more recognition for his acting and sadly he gets none due his much publicized private life. Not that he doesn't deserve his share of critique but that's it doesn't have anything to do with some of his great performances.

The film was shot all in England except for some 2nd unit photography shots in New York. The film is supposed to feel like a dream and Kubrick accomplished it with each shot being more mesmerizing than the last. The man was a perfectionist and demanded many takes. The film was shot on a record of 400 days. Also besides the sex in the film many people disliked the New York shots and atmosphere. Something which is quite odd as it's all effect for the protagonists journey. It's a look through Dr. Bill's eyes and psyche of guilt and jealousy not a serious look of how New York city is.

The last chapter in Stanley Kubrick career is a worthy ending to a filmmaker most different than all. Kubrick was a man who gave us classics, caused controversy and a man who sadly is in the special club of never getting a Oscar for directing. Eyes Wide Shut is odd film for many, the nudity, the questions that it asks of us but it's a film unique of it's kind.

Personal Rating:

Review by Paul