DIRECTOR
Stanley Kubrick

CAST
Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Sydney Pollack, Todd Field, Marie Richardson

MPAA RATING
R

RUNNING TIME
159 Minutes

STUDIO
Warner Bros.

Cruise explains to her what most men do when approaching women, and Kidman throws Cruise's arguments/facts back in his face. And then, Kidman settles down and begins to tell Cruise a story that will set the tone for the rest of this movie.

There is so much to be said and discussed in this movie. Let's start with the man who is responsible for how the film looks and feels. Stanley Kubrick, one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, films his movies the same way.

It seems that most of them are shot with a dryness of colors. I'm not sure what kind of film he uses, but they all that have dry, bland look to them. It makes them stand out above other movies.

And then, there are his choices of music. In this movie, the music is probably the creepiest thing. Kubrick has a great way of weaving in and out music as commonly as anyone. And he also knows how to place it just at the right time. The scene after Tom Cruise rents a mask and costume for a "party" is the movie's richest, most climatic experience.

It's one of those "Kubrick" moments that we always talk about with others. It's along the same lines as the "ape scene" in 2001 or the "bloody halls" in THE SHINING. The "party" scene will also have friends talking, but the key to that scene is the terrific usage of music. Those 2 notes of piano combined with a few strings make the scene more powerful.

The sets, yes sets, are magnificent in the movie. Kubrick has the habit of not filming too far from his home in London. I mean, this man built New York City, right down to the manhole covers. You don't just go out and create New York. The sets have a strong feel to them, a sense of realism. Keep an eye out on the huge hotel, great scenery.

The performances are another thing that must be noted. Cruise and Kidman are especially strong as our featured married couple. Sydney Pollack is the movie's only other main character, and he delivers. Cruise is in the film most of the time, but Kidman makes the biggest impressions.

EYES WIDE SHUT isn't the big sexy thriller that was advertised, instead, it's a remarkable rich story about jealousy, relationships, love, and death. It's a 160-minute fantasy that asks the audience what's real and what's not. The final stamp on Kubrick's illustrious career.