Kubrick film-making returns to the big screen in style

Rating: 8/10 (17 July 1999)

The much anticipated, much talked about, much written about film finally hits the screens... and it was worth the wait. Soft focus, high grain, Bergman-esque, with garish holiday background lighting, numerous "drop-in" scenes which seem unrelated to the major plot line, terrific ensemble acting, and an emotional range from Tom Cruise we've not seen previously. The disappointingly "neat and tidy" reconciliation scene at the conclusion seems to point to the sad fact Kubrick was unable to spend the necessary amount of time in the editing room, finalizing his vision. Regardless, this is a film which will be talked about for a long time--certainly longer than any of the more juvenile offerings (Star Wars, Big Daddy, Wild Wild West) currently jamming the US multiplexes.