Eyes Wide Shut

Starring: Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Leelee Sobieski
Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Box Office: $55,691,208
1999

Times Seen:
Tim: 2

Summary: An unhappy couple (Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman) deal with the pains and the consequences that thoughts of being with other people have on their relationship. In an attempt to clear his own head, the husband sneaks into a secret ritual of sex and mystery.

Review:

Tim: Now, I understand completely that Stanley Kubrick's films have always been welcomed (or not welcomed) with mixed reviews. Over time, his films have been more appreciated and understood. Many claim this, his final film, will do the same. I couldn't disagree more. I mean no disrespect to the wonderful career or the person of Kubrick, but I think his final movie is just not very good. Everyone was so quick to praise or try even harder to understand the "genius" of Kubrick behind this film. However, I think it just wasn't there with this endeavor.

This is a strange film. Thats nothing particularly new for Kubrick, but this film is just a little too strange for most viewers, I'd imagine. I don't know what to say about the actors, except that they are awful. Cruise's performance is forced and awful. I understand the possibility that this whole movie could be some big dream, but in the end, I don't really care. Cruise is terrible throughout this movie. Kidman, unfortunately, is not much better. She seems to feed off Cruise's crap vibe, and she gives an awful performance as well. I know both these actors are capable of great performances, but this was definitely not one of them. I do want to mention the big fight between Cruise and Kidman. The fight itself is kind of humorous. I want to mention Kidman's laughing fit (probably because of the pot) during the fight. It's just great, and the best part of the movie. Read that again. The best part of the movie was a 30 second fit of laughter by Nicole Kidman. Yup... this film sucks.

This film is so...so... slow. It takes forever for anything to happen, and when something does happen, it happens slowly. It's just awful. There are no likeable characters throughout the entire movie. There's not one person you can root for, care for, or even enjoy watching. The whole secret society and masked party is just ridiculous. No one really cares about the secrets, lies, or whatever the heck is going on. It seems like Kubrick wanted to squeeze in a bunch of nudity. Way to go.

I am thoroughly unimpressed with this film. Many people mentioned the love scenes between Kidman and Cruise. I don't know if that's how they did it when they were married, but if so, I understand the divorce. Those scenes are awful, along with the rest of the film. Stanley Kubrick, you are a genius and I hate to say anything to tarnish your legacy (and I am not naive enough to think MY words will have any effect on him or his legacy), but this is just a bad movie.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 3



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: 2001: A Space Odyssey, Full Metal Jacket, Far and Away, Days of Thunder, Vanilla Sky