Review of Eyes Wide Shut (1999) by Brock B — 02 Jul 2011

It took a second viewing of the film to appreciate the extensive use of trailing shots. The trademark feature is the use of long trailing shots which focus on characters as they move through the city. Watching Chloe this year, certain parallels emerge; couples seeking where the truth lies but in different cities. Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman play the Hartfords, although I donâ(TM)t think that Kubrick got the real husband and wife tension that he was hoping for when he casted the couple. Over the course of a day and a half, attempting to spite his wife who may have cheated on him, Dr. Hartford explores the seamy sexual surroundings in of the city.

So much potential lost. The leading man delivers an unconvincing and contrived performance although other characters are far more nuanced. For a film that seeks to explore the emotions that fuel relationships, this is a critical flaw. Nicole Kidman knows that it is unknown whether her confession is real or imagined, or perhaps simply a dream, but Cruise staggers through this film like his character stumbles through New York City. The erotic tension does not quite reach a climax. Consequently, the film was disparaged by many. If one can say one good thing about the film, it is not as bad as the public opinion.