Not for everyone, just film buffs & Kubrick fans

Rating: Null/10 (17 August 1999)

I loved this movie. I thought it was great. The direction and screenplay were terrific and the acting was impressive.
It was a long film but the pacing was perfect. Things unfold slowly because much of the film is shot with a surreal, dream-like quality. The line between fantasy and reality is blurred wonderfully, without an obvious attempt to do so visible.
Stanley Kubrick is probably my favorite director of all time. His films are always thought-provoking and entertaining. They range from terrifying (The Shining) to hilarious (Dr. Strangelove) to wondrous (2001: A Space Odyssey) to disturbing (A Clockwork Orange). He once again succeeds here as both writer and director. The dialogue (especially in the final scene) is intelligent and well-written. And need I even mention how great the direction is? It remains relatively basic (at least for Kubrick) until the legendary orgy scene.
The orgy scene is hauntingly beautiful. It takes place in a marvelous mansion that provides a great setting for the occasion. The lighting, musical score, camera angles, setting, and positioning of the mask & cloak dressed extras make the scene an amazing example of film-making that is one to be remembered for years to come. Many complained that the way some of the scene was digitally altered (people having sex blocked by other party-goers watching) tainted the quality of it, but I don't think that it really spoiled it at all. If anything I thought it made it even creepier.

After the orgy the film unfolds like a mystery movie. Bill (Tom Cruise) tries to figure out what happened that night and what happened to the people there afterwards. The rest of the film is intriguing. One revelation after another is discovered, yet the beloved trademark ambiguity remains intact, something Kubrick was always good at.
Unfortunately, I think there is some misunderstanding about this film. Most people seem to think it's just a sex thriller or something, but it's much more than that. It's more about deception and psychology than sex. The nudity and sex scenes in the movie aren't erotic but rather have a bizarre and creepy feeling to them. The only exception to this is Nicole Kidman, who besides being insanely beautiful puts forth a great performance as Alice, the wife whose sexual fantasies haunt her thoughts and dreams.
Although it has it's flaws (not many), and isn't Kubrick's best, "Eyes Wide Shut" is a beautiful, intriguing, excellent film. It's definitely the best of the year so far (but look out for "American Beauty" this fall).