Brilliant!

Rating: Null/10 (19 July 1999)

What words can describe the vision of the late Stanley Kubrick? Eyes Wide Shut draws its viewers in from beginning to end. Simple flirtation at the beginning of the movie compels Kidman to confess a sexual desire unknown to Cruise. Deeper and deeper we follow Dr. William (Cruise) as he wanders through a sexual odyssey as each passing moment he is reminded of his wife's desire leading him into a maze of bizarre sexual encounters and mysteries which may never be solved. Majestic lighting and signature camera techniques add to the subtle layers of this film. We find ourselves sympathizing with Cruise's character and understand why he goes through this adventure. Supporting characters push the film further down the maze guiding Dr. William to his next encounter. Not one character left untouched by him. In the end we are left not just to question the relationship of the two main characters but to question our own. The legendary long shoot was well worth it to see this cinematic milestone in completion. Chilling music fuels this final chapter in the anthology of great films the master filmmaker Stanley Kubrick has created. **** out ****