Slowly unfolds to show you the true beauty of the film. Nicole Kidman is breath taking!

Rating: 10/10 (15 June 2002)

This film was not popular on it's release. A lot of people were disappointed by the cold nature of nudity and sex, so i assume everyone wanted to be aroused by this film. I did not find it arousing, but this does not detract from it's beauty! This was the first Kubrik film i saw and i think to dismiss it is disrespectful to his genius! The use of light, fantastic music, the way he captures the performances and our attention is brilliant. Nicole Kidman is stunning, she steals the film with her chilling speeches. Cruise is good too, but with a straighter role. The supporting cast are great: Alan Cumming is so funny! It is very long and slow, but i was never once bored as Kubrik always has an aspect about each moment that is fascinating - the time flew by. The story line and dialogue is thin, as in most of the kubrik films ive seen: this is done in order for us to observe the characters, scene and shot more closely. The one thing that a female friend had a complaint about was the lack of male nudity, where Kidman gets her clothes off as much as possible, cruise only ever strips down to his underwear. BUT i think this is done in order to frustrate the audience, as i think Kubrik is commenting on the unfairness of sex. Be warned, this film is not for everyone. It is for an audience that enjoy challenging films and are willing to learn more about one of the greatest directors of all time.