utterly fascinating

Rating: 10/10 (22 July 1999)

EWS is extraordinarily fascinating and an intellectual extravaganza. Though perhaps not Kubrick's greatest film (I've always been partial to 2001 and Strangelove), it would be a lifetime achievement for most other directors. I can see where this film might not appeal to many people under 40 -- it is quite simply that "adult" in the true meaning of the word. The movie nearly begs for previous life experience to understand it on a psychological level. And it is SO Creepy. That surprised me more than anything, though maybe it shouldn't have. Kidman is a bit too cloying, but Cruise gives the performance of his life.