fantastic and FUN

Rating: Null/10 (29 April 2002)

Eyes Wide Shut is a very different film to say the least. You can gather that by the title alone. It's supposed to be. It has an almost old-school style that involves an odyssey for the main character through the streets of New York. There are almost two threads to this movie, one of the adventures during a 24 hour period through Bill's mind and also his connection to his wife Alice. They won't come together until the end. The result is a film that has almost two climaxes, one in the middle and one near the end. Both are great scenes, especially the one in the middle, it has to be one of the greatest pieces of cinema ever put on film. You might not see the climax at the end coming, or wonder how it could be even possible, but it's incredibly appropriate. You also get a film that has meticulously crafted interiors that you see both in the night and the morning after. The problem of having a thematic climax in the middle is that the "morning after" scenario can get a little boring, but that contrasts the great rising action in the first half. But by the second half you have even more to think about.
The film is a great way of expressing the philosophy through colors; there are references to rainbows and colors that go out of their way to be symbolic. This is definitely one of the best "dream worlds" ever pictured. While some of the dialogue is a little far-fetched (like the philosophical argument husband and wife get into) much of it is very realistic communication. You really get the idea that the characters don't know what they are going to say next. The film has a wit all of its own. Eyes Wide Shut is an experimental film that uses an old framework (an odyssey, chronicles of secondary characters that are met on the way, and even chorus elements) that you won't see very much of today in movies and it succeeds. Eyes Wide Shut is a film where the chorus (the secret society) is able to communicate with and control the main character. If you want philosophy you can keep coming back to, this film is for you. If you want entertainment and happen to be a patient person, I guarantee this will hold your attention. It's especially absorbing the first time through. Don't expect a sexual romp, though. People are just starting to think this one out, one day it will probably be regarded as 2001 is today, though it may never have the same mainstream appeal because of its content matter.