Fascinating

Rating: Null/10 (4 June 2001)

The first time I watched 'Eyes Wide Shut' was in September 1999 - I liked it but I didn't connect with it. I watched it again recently and my opinion has become stronger, I now connect with the picture, and I must say it's a fascinating piece of work.
The film is about sex, love and trust, 3 themes which make up a relationship, abuse them, then your life can be turned upside down. I don't want to say too much about the plot, because there really isn't one as such, there is no goal to the picture, but I think Kubrick wanted us to chew on the themes rather than the story.
The performances are very good, both Cruise and Kidman put some effort into their roles. The screenplay at first is a bit disjointed, but smoothes itself out throughout the picture. It's not an award-winning script, it doesn't have the meaty dialogue, but it works.
The direction is terrific, as is the photography, beautifully lit.
Not Kubrick's best direction, but head and shoulders above anything else in 1999.
Overall, this film will not be universally loved, it's not for everyone.
I loved it, but it took 2 viewings to understand the picture.