Review of Eyes Wide Shut (1999) by Mikey M — 17 Feb 2012

Was a little reluctant to watch this again, because I didn't like it when I saw it at the cinema in '99. I enjoyed it a little more this time, and while Kubrick's final film gets under the skin visually I still can't help but notice that it's really just a sequence of set pieces that often lack a believable catalyst.

The film explores what ought not to be said in a relationship in a drawn-out manner and there is interesting stuff bubbling under the surface in the subtext. Overall though, I feel most viewers will have to work too hard to bypass the sketchy character work to get to the experience of this film.

Kidman is often left out to dry by poor character motivation and her performance is below par as a result. Cruise and Pollock deliver the more striking performances, but I personally needed more careful character development for the two leads and a more careful consideration of the plot driving dialogue that happens between them.