Glorious and stunning, Kubrick's final film is his best

Rating: 10/10 (18 July 2004)

Stanley Kubrick is the type of director that is beloved by many, and his films have earned a high place in cinematic history ('Dr. Strangelove, '2001: A Space Odyssey', 'A Clockwork Orange', 'Full Metal Jacket'). He is a director who creates and creates, which is interesting, because most of his films are based on published pieces of literature. He has gone from genres such as crime ('Killer's Kiss', 'The Killing') to war ('Paths of Glory', 'Full Metal Jacket') to satire ('Dr. Strangelove', 'Barry Lyndon), and even more. He envokes a rare visual beauty within his films, and he creates perfection in every frame. 'Eyes Wide Shut' is no exception.
Here we have such mainstream actors as Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Sydney Pollack, Alan Cumming, and even Leelee Sobieski. But Kubrick doesn't fail them, and they don't fail Kubrick. Each actor listed, and more (Todd Field, Vanessa Shaw) give powerful performances. Tom Cruise, who many slam for being such a mainstream actors, proves his ability to act here. Nicole Kidman, who also is a mainstream actress, though more praised in the film world, also gives a genuine performance. We have caricatures here: the wealthy and kind doctor (Tom Cruise), the attractive wife (Nicole Kidman), the wealthy and corrupt friend (Sydney Pollack), and the hooker with a heart of gold (Vanessa Shaw). These people feel real. They're dialogue is not especially extremely quote- able, but they sound like human beings, saying stupid things or not. The film is calculated, no doubt, but in a way that gives us what is intended.
Tom Cruise is Dr. Bill Harford, who resorts to his profession as a doctor and his kindness as an escape, while walking around New York at night after his wife's stoned confession about near- infidelity. He is jealous, even though he says he's not "the jealous type". He lies to her, but she saves him nonetheless. Through his experiences, he understands more and more about things he didn't want to know about. Is Tom Cruise good? No doubt. Even though I prefer him in his other 1999 feature, 'Magnolia', he still gives a good performance as the kind- hearted but somewhat ignorant doctor. You can feel his anguish, and his confusion. Life was going perfect for him, he had a good time with his rich friend, Victor Ziegler (Sydney Pollack), and he came home fine. He is thrown awry by the confession of his wife (Nicole Kidman), because he lives in the notion that she would never lie to him, and he would never lie to her. She quips to him, "You are AWFULLY sure of yourself!" and he replies with "No! I'm sure of you!". She proceeds into a laughing fit then proceeds to tell him about her near infidelity. Nicole Kidman, an actress I feel that seems to lack a passion for performing, uses her cold air here perfectly. On the surface, she is a kind, gentle, loving woman but underneath she is filled with angst. Sydney Pollack as Victor Ziegler gives the audience the best performance of the film. He is commanding, he is greedy and selfish, but he gets what he wants. In one scene by a pool table, he talks to Bill about an incident both were involved in, and you can feel the corruption. The supporting cast does the job as well. Todd Field plays Nick, a pianist who helps Bill when he shouldn't, and a somewhat sleazy character. Vanessa Shaw is sexy as the prostitute, and she plays it correctly. And last, but not least, Alan Cumming is hysterical as the gay receptionist who helps Bill with some information about Nick. In some cases, the lead actors in Kubrick's films over- shadow the rest of the cast (see 'A Clockwork Orange'), but here he manages to balance everyone out. And it works.
Say what you will about the slow pacing of Kubrick's film, but he has a fantastic visual eye. The cinematography by Larry Smith is fantastic, giving the film a dream like quality. The colors are lush and poetic, and give the film the perfect tone. The haunting musical score by Jocelyn Cook is also fantastic, especially the chilling simple- noted piano music. The film editing by Nigel Galt gives the film the right pace, making it not too fast paced, but not too slow either. There is no awkward editing, the film feels smooth and just right.
While I've always thought Kubrick is more talented at directing than he he is at writing, his and Frederic Raphael's screenplay is excellent. The dialog, while it may at times sound contrived and even silly, is perfect because the characters feel genuine. Bill is kind- hearted, but not ready for the tough part of the world. Alice is honest, but loves her husband and child. Victor is greedy and morally shakey, but he is an effective man who gets what he wants out of life and has no remorse. The story is an interesting one, and it is an important examination of sex in people's lives. Detractors who say the film is "about nothing but sex" are missing the point completely. It is about human interaction, which at times, is sex, but also about themes such as love, friendship, trust, honesty, and more.
And boy, is Kubrick a talented director. He brings everything together, he has directed the actors perfectly and has woven a masterful tale. The orgy scene is one of the most brilliant and visually stunning films in cinematic history, as well as one of the most bizarre. The momentum of the film builds up, and never lets down as characters have unexpected confrontations. 'Eyes Wide Shut' is dramatic, but not overly dramatic, and emphasis is put in exactly the right places.
'Eyes Wide Shut' opened in the summer of 1999, amongst many detractors. Not only was it seen by Stanley Kubrick fans, but also fans of mainstream stars Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. For me, it is the masters's best work, and a representation of the brillaince of cinema. It is quite possibly, the greatest film ever made. So turn off your expectations, and ignore the terrible reviews, and watch 'Eyes Wide Shut'. You won't forget it.