Misunderstood

Rating: 10/10 (10 May 2005)

It always amazes me how this film has been misunderstood by so many people. The proof of that is that the highest votes on IMDb for this film has been given to males under 18 and the lowest by females in general, most noticeably over 45. I must say, though - Eyes Wide Shut has very little to do with sex and very much to do with relationships. Of course sex has a lot to do with it, especially if viewed from a Freudian perspective, but the film's main focus is on the nature and limits of relationships. What is cheating? Is thinking about other people cheating? Where lies the limit between thinking and doing? Does Dr. Bill cheat on Alice anymore than she does on him? What is acceptable in terms of sexual fantasy? To what extent our sexual frustrations, aspirations and ethics is dependent primarily on preconceived social values? Eyes Wide Shut raises all these important questions and there resides its greatness.