Eyes Wide Shut Reviews

Stanley Kubrick’s film “Eyes Wide Shut” can be seen as a sensual reverie on lost opportunities and unfulfilled desires. The protagonist spends two nights exploring the realm of sexuality, engaging in foreplay without actually consummating any physical relationships. Despite never crossing the line, he teeters on the edge, drawn by temptation and curiosity. One reason for his behavior could be his wife’s actions, sparking jealousy within him. Alternatively, the provocative tale she shares may ignite his otherwise dormant fantasies.

The movie follows the format of a suspenseful thriller, hinting at potential conspiracies and murders. It also evokes a sense of a nightmare, as peculiar characters come and go, leaving the protagonist puzzled by the mysteries surrounding them. However, the resolution at the conclusion of the film falls short; a story that captivates us with its unresolved elements should not attempt to neatly tie up loose ends.

Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman portray Dr. Bill and Alice Harford, a married couple residing in affluent Manhattan society. During an extended, leisurely introduction, they are seen attending a high-society gathering where a tall Hungarian man, a caricature of a smooth-talking seducer, attempts to charm Alice with references to the Latin poet Ovid’s work on love. At the same time, Bill faces advances from two assertive women before being summoned to the upstairs restroom, where Victor (played by Sydney Pollack), the wealthy host of the party, is dealing with an overdosed prostitute in need of medical assistance.

During the gathering, Bill encounters a former classmate from medical school who has since become a pianist. Later, at their residence, Alice and Bill indulge in marijuana (evidently of high quality, judging by their state of being completely out of it), and she recounts a fantasy involving a young naval officer she had seen the previous summer while they were vacationing on Cape Cod: “He never left my thoughts. I even considered sacrificing everything if he desired me, even if just for one night…”