Thought-Provoking and Haunting

Rating: 8/10 (7 October 2018)

"Eyes Wide Shut" is a slow-burn drama/thriller with deep themes that bring about many questions. It brings to light a discussion that needs to be had.
-Analysis of Notable Work- *Writing/Directing: The drama plays out beautifully in this film. It begins by introducing a deep concept that nearly everyone deals with: wondering what it would be like to be with someone else. What follows is a horrifying venture. Kubrick once again takes command of the audience's attention and brings to light a darker side of the elite and the human psyche in general. *Cinematography/Editing: The tone and camerawork of the film is very recognizable as being a Kubrick film. Larry Smith does a fantastic job of bringing the film a dreamlike quality in visual terms. This sets up an important part of the narrative because much of it deals with dreams and how they affect us more than we may think. The editing is a bit of a weak point in the film. There was apparently quite a bit of studio interference with this film so it is very likely that the final cut is not exactly what Kubrick had intended. While there are a few pacing issues, most of the film is top quality. *Dialogue/Acting: The stumbling dialogue between characters is a brilliant touch to this film. It feels authentic and natural. Bill tries to cover up what he has done, and he is very awkward about it. Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman do a phenomenal job portraying a couple who is struggling to deal with feelings of attraction to other people. The supporting actors all make this film come together. There are some strong performances by the members of the elite during the ritual scenes. *Music/Sound: The music is haunting in this film when it needs to be. It adds to the feeling of anxiety created by the situations Bill puts himself in. The sound is designed well and feels authentic. It is especially effective during the ritual scene. The soundscape feels very eerie during that moment. *Production Design/Special Effects: The costume and set pieces are grand and add to the feeling of the wealth that all of the characters have.
*Conclusion: "Eyes Wide Shut" is a beautiful and gut-wrenching film that brings to light the evils of the elite and shows us the importance of needing to address feelings of unfaithfulness in our own relationships. Are dreams really just dreams?