Adult in more ways than one; brilliant, not perfect

Rating: Null/10 (18 July 1999)

This film may not be for everyone, and there were some in the audience who simply could not absorb the intensity of the performances and the extremes of the plot. But there is no doubt that there was genius at work here. Kubrick accomplishes what I think he intended; namely, to make us think about--and "feel"--the consequences of sexual compulsion. Like "A Clockwork Orange" no answers are provided, but a resolution is reached, and when this happened, it felt like a fever breaking. Cruise and Kidman reached deeply to provide heartfelt performances, but there were lapses on occasion, and one or two scenes seemed strained. Similarly, the film itself was masterful in building an ever ominous, suspenseful tone, but also lapsed occasionally (for example, the repeated use of a jarring solo piano to underscore tense moments, though initially effective, became overkill after awhile). All in all, this was adult filmmaking in the best sense of the word: thought provoking, original, and unafraid. Kubrick will be missed.