An unfortunate failure from the late genius.

Rating: 3/10 (17 July 1999)

Even though I have loved nearly every Kubrick film ever made, I could not stand Eyes Wide Shut. Why he felt the need to invent such a comically contrived plot and setting to examine such a basic and realistic subject -- marital fidelity and its attendant emotional baggage -- is beyond me. Kubrick, who by all accounts was an isolated and detached man, simply does not seem capable of realistically portraying a marriage in jeopardy. I have a happy marriage, but something tells me that it would not take 100 millionaires dressed as monks, 50 prostitutes, and a possible murder cover-up for me to realize that the wife and I had difficulties we needed to discuss. Apparently Kubrick felt that that was necessary to get his points across. Instead of making me think, he made me laugh. Unfortunately, that was probably not his intention.