Gripping

Rating: 8/10 (21 July 1999)

It's not really a movie you enjoy; it's more a movie you experience.
First of all, it definitely should have been NC-17, with or without the digital figures blocking out all the serious sexual activity. The orgy scene is still incredibly adult, and it is still clear what is going on. Parents who take their kids to it are out of their minds.
The acting, directing, and other production values are excellent. Cruise has less emoting to do than Kidman, so it is a little easier to notice her performance, but his is remarkable in its own, subtle way. I've never seen a Kubrick movie before, but I understand he has a history of using long shots and pauses to achieve creepiness, and this is no exception. Color, music, and even extras are all used to emotional effect. For instance, fewer and fewer extras on the city streets as the movie continues and Bill finds fewer and fewer of the people he encounters are so innocent as they seem.
As for the plot, well, I can't exactly say I liked it, because that would imply the movie was a cheerful experience, and it was not. However, I did find it gripping and well-executed up until the end, at which point Sidney Pollack's character explained too much. It would have been better for him to throw Tom a few cryptic lines, leaving him and the intelligent viewer to figure it out for themselves. I already knew everything Sid said in that scene--the only real revelation he provided had more to do with Tom's response to everything. All in all, though, there was much humor, plenty of nice touches, and even a few understated running jokes.

I think the bottom line is whether the themes and their depiction work for you or not. They worked for me. The movie reminded me of the Hawthorne story "Young Goodman Brown" with a few touches of "Caligula" thrown in. I spent $8.50 to see it and I don't feel shafted--what more can one say?