Pacing by Merchant & Ivory, Subtlety by Oliver Stone

Rating: 7/10 (23 April 2000)

I really expected that this film's detractors just hadn't "gotten it". I figured that I, Kubrick fan that I am, would recognize this film as the masterpiece that it undoubtedly is.
Nope.
It's a bad film. No two ways about it. It's ham-handed, outdated, ridiculous, absurdly sluggish and the blame for the terrible performances rests squarely on Kubrick's perfectionist shoulders. Kidman was terrific in "To Die For" - I'm not a fan of Van Sant, but at least he knows how to work with people. I think Kubrick was too old and out of his element to make this movie. It was a bold step for him, I think, and I give him credit for trying. I'm just disappointed that it failed and wish that "A.I." could've been his swan song instead of this.
I think this film, edited down to the half-hour of solid material that's actually there, will make a great after-school special in 2030. If you haven't seen it yet... I'd wait.