Well, this is it, your last opportunity to see the first run of a Kubrick flick. EYES WIDE SHUT, the last of Kubrik's ouevre that includes 2001 a space odyssey and a clockwork orange is a suave sexual romp.
The story concerns real life couple Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman as Bill and Alice Harford. Tom is a doctor in New York City, and Nicole is cute. We meet them as they prepare to attend a very splashing Christmas do with people who obviously have real money.
The party soon becomes a microcosm of sexual behaviors. Nicole is swept off her feet by an Hungarian romantic at least three times her age who delivers his seductive lines in a stilted yet stylized manner. Meanwhile Tom is lured from the party by two super models. However, it is the host who really captures Tom's attention, since he's stuck in the bathroom with another super model, one who has O.D.ed
The various sexual encounters that Tom and Nicole experience lead them to talk about attraction and what not, leading Nicole to postulate about the illusive nature of physical attraction. She cites an experience she'd had the previous year, where she'd fallen in lust with a sailor at first sight. Although nothing happened, Tom goes nuts with jealousy, constantly imagining Nicole with the man.
By trying to block these thoughts from his mind, Tom sets off on a somewhat destruction course of action. He doesn't care too much what he does, as long as he's doing something.
His rather bizarre evening involves the death of a patient, a prostitute, a costume shop owner, a pianist, and a rather exclusive party. The unfolding of Tom's night is somewhat in the style of a mystery, but always stays close to the theme of sexuality and attraction. Rumors have abounded about this film, of course, and contrary to the stories I've heard, the actual sex scenes are smart, perhaps recognizing that the sexual experience is mostly in the brain.
Tom Cruise is wonderful as Dr. Bill. He's either come a long way from Risky Business, or not very far at all, since he still has that little boy look, coupled with complete absorption in himself and desperation to make everything work his way. Nicole Kidman is equally fine as his wife.
I particularly like the title, Eyes Wide Shut, which accurately describes the experience of the movie and its after taste. Kubric's seductive swansong will keep you pondering what is real and what is not. And after all, isn't that the best part?