Schlock

Rating: 1/10 (20 July 1999)

Perhaps the worst movie I've ever sat through in a theater, much less paid good money for. Only did it cause I (usually) love Kubrick. Whole thing was overblown, hypocritical, misogynist morality tale that played like a short story lifted from a 1950's issue of Playboy. Sleazy without reason, ridiculous and convoluted, wooden/artificial acting from the two leads, heavy handed atmosphere and redundant themes, all to serve a central plot which was as compelling as a frustrated teenager's diary. Sex, desire, mystery, violent urges, perversion, betrayal, all of these things put in an appearance, some longer than others but all similarly shallow.
No beauty, terror, passion, or haunting moods - nothing about Kubrick shone through this mess except some familiar lighting effects and camera uses. Ultimately, this belongs on late night cable next to the rest of the erotic thrillers with artistic pretensions. Most insulting is the consistent masculine reduction of women into whores, as though sexuality still has only one point of view, only one motivating force, and it is Mr. Rich White Male. Marquis de Sade played those same games, but he admitted what he was doing, was conscious of his allocation of power. This movie gives Nicole Kidman a few dramatic, annoying scenes to establish a conflict, but her character is ultimately a nil - the sum of her husband's fantasies and projections. If you're interested in sexual power plays, read Marquis de Sade. If you get off on seeing high-heeled, thong-wearing models strutting around to Gregorian chants, you may enjoy a few minutes of this tedious farce.