Eyes Now Open

Rating: 9/10 (6 October 2018)

"Eyes Wide Shut" (1999) is a dramatic thriller mystery about New York City doctor William "Bill" Harford, played by Tom Cruise, as he pushes himself into dangerous sexual temptations following an argument of mental infidelity with his wife, art curator Alice Harford played by Nicole Kidman. Alice admits to Bill that she had extremely impure thoughts about another man while with Bill after she accuses him of cheating on her at a Christmas party. I personally have issues with films over 90 mins, but this film was overly immersive and I couldn't pull myself away. The storyline was gripping and the visuals were outstandingly enticing for a film that appeals both to the dark and light. It made me go through a range of emotions from anger to sympathy to I don't even know how to feel.
I am not a huge fan of Tom Cruise because I feel he has one persona that he uses in 80 percent of his films, but I deeply believe that Kubrick was able to bring out one of the better, more authentic Cruise performances out in this film. The acting in this film was outstanding. I felt the pain and anger stirring within Bill as Alice explained her ordeal. I felt the desire for an alternate life every time Alice explained to Bill a different universe to her present. Overall, this film is surprisingly great and the runtime is nothing to fret. I would recommend this film to anyone who has the time to just embrace a story that will affect your emotions.