A complex swan song from Kubrick

Rating: 8/10 (4 September 2017)

"Eyes Wide Shut" marked the end of legendary director Stanley Kubrick's career, being completed mere days before his death. His first film in more than a decade, it was eagerly anticipated but was ultimately met with mixed reviews. This was probably partially due to the advertising campaign that tried to sell the movie as an erotic thriller. What moviegoers actually got was something much more unique and surreal.
The story focuses on a married couple, Dr. William & Alice Harford (played by Tom Cruise & Nicole Kidman). When Alice confesses that she fantasized about cheating on her husband with a young naval officer it disturbs him that his marriage may not be as secure as he thought. Over the course of the night he embarks on an odyssey of sexual discovery wherein he grapples with his newfound jealousy & insecurity.
This synopsis is purposely fairly vague since I feel that the plot moves into such unexpected territory that it would be a shame to go into the movie knowing too much. The trailer gives away very little but it probably led people to expect a completely different kind of movie. While there is a heavy sexual element to the movie, I certainly wouldn't call it erotic. To me it seems much more clinical (perhaps mirroring the doctor's viewpoint), studied & surreal.
The movie shows Kubrick's attention to detail in every frame. There's a consistent dream-like vibe that's unlikely to appeal to everyone. I find this to be clearly evident in the visuals and the music but also in the acting. Despite moving at a very deliberate pace, the story is gripping, at least once the initial groundwork is laid. However, the script's main strength is the amount of depth that it has, leading to many possible interpretations. To be honest, I was somewhat bewildered the first time I saw the movie but the second time around I discovered a whole new layer of meaning.
The acting is a bit harder to judge. The film's dream-like feel called for a more mannered approach than is typical of today's films. To some, this might be seen as artificial. Personally, I think that some of the acting comes across as a bit laboured but, overall, I'm happy with all of the performances. Tom Cruise, in particular, showed that he was up to the task of playing a character whose seemingly perfect exterior masked an interior plagued with doubts.
"Eyes Wide Shut" is truly the type of movie that practically begs for multiple viewings. From a visual standpoint, it's absolutely gorgeous. When it comes to the story, it's both compelling and thought-provoking. In retrospect, it seems unbelievable that the movie got almost no recognition at the major awards shows (Oscars, Golden Globes & BAFTAs). While it may not quite reach the dizzying heights of all-time classics like "2001: A Space Odyssey" & "A Clockwork Orange", it isn't that far off.