Review of Eyes Wide Shut (1999) by Alexander C — 07 Dec 2012

''No dream is ever just a dream.''.

A New York City doctor, who is married to an art curator, pushes himself on a harrowing and dangerous night-long odyssey of sexual and moral discovery after his wife admits that she once almost cheated on him.

Tom Cruise: Dr. William 'Bill' Harford.

Stanley Kubrick's last film results in a mixed bag of surprises. On one hand it's drenched with sex and revelations, ending up being even slower than any of his [previous works. Yet on the other hand it holds imagination, secrets and forbidden relationships.

Kubrick has always given us the weird and sometimes visionary standards with his efforts. With Eyes Wide Shut it's apparent with all due respect that he was losing his edge and focus with the material present. Yet saying this, there is some beautiful imagery, haunting music if not sometimes annoying, and wonderful shots and cinematography.

''Don't you think one of the charms of marriage is that it makes deception a necessity for both parties? May I ask why a beautiful woman who could have any man in this room wants to be married?''.

The film proceeds it's varied onslaught with frequent trips to the land of boredom yet redeems itself with some unusual scenes of interest. The masked party seems to me to be the main point of interest in Eyes Wide Shut where Kubrick uses mystery suspense and a feel of foreboding in the proceedings yet it's feeling seems to fade once said scene is over. We see Cruise spiral into torment and sometimes madness as he tries to unravel the mysteries concerning the event.

Scenarios presented involve unfaithfulness, desire and an obsession with lust and sex. Nicole Kidman plays the troubled wife quite well yet fails to make us care about her character who's subject to dreams and dark secrets of her own.

''You know what they say, once a doctor always a doctor.''.

It's safe to say the film provokes more tantalizing questions than answers, yet we the audience get lost at a certain conjecture.

Granted Kubrick gets across his lustful if what perverted disposition, which shows a mind of unrivaled proportions but it's thew execution of Eyes Wide Shut I have to question.

When I reached the end conclusion I was bemused at the confusion and even more puzzled by an ending that doesn't really inspire, but more so, leaves an empty hollow feeling void of love and replaced by the prospect of sex that seems to glue us together.

I wondered if there were any similarities between Cruise & Nicole's actual relationship when they were dating to this effort. If there are then I can certainly understand why they broke up, besides the Scientology issue.

Going back to Eyes Wide Shut I must admit it was clever but in being so, it ends up divulging in too much confusing dialogue and runs around in limitless circles trying to be a thriller or a man's mid life crisis in a way.

Maybe Kubrick's last montage may have done better if he had edited and simplified this piece because let's face it, what we get is a troubled marriage, a masked party that turns into a warped orgy and a mystery that has a dull pop at its climax.

Yes Eyes Wide Shut may also be for you if you just want a feast for the eyeballs with naked bodies on display, unfortunately a plot that makes sense and does not confuse would be my preferable advertiser.

''I have seen one or two things in my life but never, never anything like this.''.