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. Bad Bad Thing' booms out of all 6 speakers. Later, during more intense emotional scenes, you hear a lone piano, single notes, penetrating the air. Kubrick holds the control of the movie like few directors.