What goes on from here has to be seen, the life progresses in an almost surrealistic manner. The cast is typical Kubrick, perfection from the leads to the smallest character part. Cruise and Kidman are real life spouses and therefore are perfect to depict what they are, young, physically attractive, rich and successful. Kidman is not only beautiful in this role but gets two of the best monologues in the film. She shows a wide range of emotions and mesmerizes the audience.
Cruise seems lost, confused and out of it for most of the night.
This works since this is undoubtedly the way Kubrick wanted it played. Kubrick was one of the most perfection oriented directors that every lived. Every scene is like a painting from a master, every detail in place, and every action planned. The soundtrack is not cumbersome, it does not intrude like a rock video. Rather, it punctuates the film, brings emphasis at the right moments.