A dabble in the occult

Rating: 6/10 (8 August 1999)

For a Stanley Kubrick film, this one is very different to his earlier works, at least those that I've seen. It's disappointing to say that this final stroke is probably his worst film. Not to say that it's all bad, but it pales in comparison to films such as THE SHINING, 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY and DR STRANGELOVE. EYES WIDE SHUT tells the story of a married couple living in New York City who are experiencing some marital trauma. The husband, played by Tom Cruise, goes on a strange tour of the sexual underground of NYC, and although he never actually has sex with anyone but his wife, he becomes entangled with some bizarre cult populated by solemn figures in black cloaks, hoods and masks. We never get to find out much about this cult, but maybe that's a part of the film's alluring sense of the mysterious. It seems to represent a break away from the mundane drudgery of everyday life, and a risky dabble in the occult. But unfortunately it's nothing special; by far the most skilfully directed scene was the one in which Cruise infiltrates the cult and bears witness to their eerie and somewhat disturbing rituals, but the rest of the film had a somewhat plodding pace. Kidman's acting left much to be desired; even in scenes when she was supposed to be sober she had a habit of talking very slowly. Quite a mild film when compared to Kubrick's other works. Still quite entertaining and, as it were, a break away from the mundane drudgery of everyday Hollywood movies, and a risky dabble in more unusual films. Two and a half stars out of four.