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What is a doctor supposed to look like? I’ve seen very competent medical professionals who preferred dressing in blue jeans. Not all doctors are middle aged men and women with constipated personalities.
The main body of EYES WIDE SHUT was episodic, and had a dream like quality. It was like Harford’s hidden desires were spilling out onto the screen. Throughout all of Dr. Harford’s adventures he never participates in any sexual situation. He’s more of an observer, watching his own fantasies.
To me, what Kubrick was saying is that men and women, no matter how long they’re together, don’t really understand each other’s sexuality. The suggestion that Alice Harford makes at the end of the film is both tender, and pornographic, and hints at a new understanding of their relationship. Maybe my statement that the sanctity of their marriage was renewed was a little strong, it was more like a renewal of faith in each other.
EYES WIDE SHUT isn’t one of Kubrick’s best films. The scene between Cruise and Pollack, near the end of the movie, where Pollack (as Victor Ziegler) is explaining away Dr. Harford’s misperceptions of the night before is stilted, and unconvincing. The orgy scenes are marred by the cloaked figures which were (as I found out later) digitally superimposed over the action in order to get an R rating. It’s not one of his best, but it certainly isn’t his worst.
I found Tom Cruise’s performance to be quite good. I’m not a fan of Cruise, but I did like him in RAINMAN, and COLOR OF MONEY. Go back and see the film again, and watch his facial expressions. Cruise’s entire performance occurs on his face.
I don’t claim to fully understand Kubrick’s intentions in making EYES WIDE SHUT. I’ve only seen it once, and since all of his films are private musings they usually take more than one viewing to comprehend. I’ve already changed my mind about some of the first perceptions I had about the film. But, what is great about any Kubrick film, even the so-so ones, is they make you want to think about them. That’s a welcome relief from the no-brainers like WILD WILD WEST and BIG DADDY.
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