This movie didn't quite work for me, which is disappointing because I really like most of Kubrick's movies. It's too long and way too slow. The acting is good and the cinematography is good but the plot is lacking. I get that it's not about the plot so much as the meaning of marriage and faith but I wanted to know more about that masked sex cult. As it is right now this is one of my least favorite Stanley Kubrick's films. Maybe I will give it a rewatch in a couple of years and like it better.

Simply one of the best movies ever made...the only flaws are the narrative sequences. They need to be cut for an absolutely perfect movie.

Forget Die Hard. This is a Christmas movie.

Change my mind.

Starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, Eyes Wide Shut is a controversial and provocative film from writer/director Stanley Kubrick. The story follows Dr. William Harford, whose life is endangered after he accidentally stumbles across a secret society. Kubrick’s directing is quite raw, and the pacing is terrible. Additionally, the script comes off as forced and the dialog is unnatural. However, the film is successful in creating a creepy and atmospheric tone that enhances the mystery and intrigue. Monotonous and cold, Eyes Wide Shut is a pretentious film without focus.

One of the greatest contributions to cinema, and if you don't believe Kubrick was murdered for this then your eyes are wide shut.

It felt very drawn out

**I never tire of watching this film.**

Story: 7/10...Slow pacing and meandering walkabouts that visit the same places twice detracts from the interesting snapshot of marriage and vulnerability.
Dialogue: 8/10...Good script, but very...very...ve...ry slow delivery.
Performances: 8/10...Cruise doing "Drama Tom" is less believable than "Fun Tom" but Kidman is fantastic and supporting case is good.
Misc.: 7/10...Nothing spectacular with settings, camerawork or editing but definitely touched by an artist.
Overall: 7/10...great effort for most directors but near the bottom of the list for Kubrick's body of work.

Indeed an interesting alternative to your usual Christmas movie. Just think of the fact that the colorful lights of the Christmas trees might be actually hinting at sexual tension?

Although I hated “Eyes Wide Shut” on my first viewing ages ago, I think I am understanding it a little more as a grown-up man. In particular, I liked that it all felt like a fever dream triggered by Bill’s newly found awareness that his wife is a sentient being with animal instincts. Everyone only remembers the orgies in the second act, but I thought the first act’s focus on the impulses we are forced to repress while in a monogamous relationship deserved to be expanded a little more. I don’t mind the plot imploding in a purposely anticlimactic manner, yet it felt like it was all resolved as a one-night odd experience without connecting to the premise made in the first act.

For a 2hr 30 film this feels strangely undercooked.

I got the strong sense that scenes were storyboarded but the cast told to improvise the dialogue. It results in a lot of long pauses and stilted conversation as the actors run permutations of responses in their heads, most likely. It felt almost play-like at times.

As for the story, it is problematic because there's little resolution to a lot of mystery. spoilers - Why is every woman looking at Tom like he's a sex god... Is it an elaborate dream? Has Nicole's character been to the event and was she one of the masked women?

Regardless of all this, the main question should be "is the resoution satisfying?" and the resounding answer is "no". The follow-up then is "was the journey worth it?" and I have to say "Probably not"...

if I was Tom and Nicole and spent 2 years on this ... I'd be pissed, truthfully.


6/10

First thoughts just fresh from finishing this: this film would have benefited so much from more Nicole Kidman. The scenes where she gets to shine are the undeniable highlights of Eyes Wide Shut and the little glimpses into female visions of sexuality we get when her character is given a voice are the most interesting aspects of the film’s thematics and narrative.

It’s a great movie about sexuality, desire, sex and power. I’m just not a fan of Tom Cruise and all the gratuitous objectification of women. I realise that might be a simplistic read, but there’s no doubt male directors enjoy using their movies to satisfy sexual fantasies, much in the same way those social elites used hoods and masks, a palace, and a Beethoven opera.

Incredible, suspenseful, thrilling and surreal. A film exploring the complex human nature of desire and one's need for self-discovery. a fascinating story told via amazing cinematography.

Tom Cruise just walking down the street is enough for me.

Really dissapointed with this one..Too slow and boring most of the time.It could be one hour less at least..5.5/10 expected wayyy more...

Tom Cruise da stallion. Banging hoes, joining sex cult. Tom gone wild sheeyit. DAMN!

This may be the Christmas present you didn't ask for, but it's the Christmas present you didn't need, as well.

A first time watch for me, and I was lucky enough to see it on the big screen.

[spoiler] Personally I found Nicole Kidman acting drunk / high a distraction that clouded Kubrick's vision, and the concept that they let Dr Bill go only to kill a woman in his place, yet they still expect him not to worry about what happened to everyone a tad unrealistic. [/spoiler]

[spoiler] Seriously, if they really wanted him to keep mum, there was an easy and permanent solution. Accepting a substitute sacrifice for him just says, "We care more about just killing anyone than we do about keeping these meetings a secret." [/spoiler]

That said, the scene at the house was a real treat, and this is still my favorite Christmas movie.

Truly great filmmaking, considering it took 400 days of filming. The New York scenes shot on a stage still look flawless. An insight into the secret societies of our age. Also dealing with the inherent jealousies a relationship can endure.

Really fuckin weird. The Sex cult is weird but there's a lot of tits

Honestly I'm still having a hard time understanding this movie, from the beginning to the end when I was watching this movie my mouth opened and I kept scratching my head, too bad that kubrick died before he can fully explain this movie. the air and aura are mystical and bleak, subtle yet significant symbolism scattered troughout the movie, cryptic dialogue and the perplexing cult ritual scene however no tangible answer at the ending. too many critics and conspiracy theorists linked this movie with ancient actual secret society but nevertheless kubrick probably wanted to show something that entice audience's curiosity and comprehension so people can enjoy this movie with different approach, great movie though but weird....

last movie from Kubrick that i can't believe it was rarely

With Eyes Wide Shut, Stanley Kubrick's final film, it is impossible to definitively sort out what it all means (temptation, sexuality, rejection, etc) and it's probably best to leave it to the individual viewer to pull from it what they will. What is important about the movie are the visuals, and there are few filmmakers who have a better grasp than Kubrick of the fact that cinema is a visual medium. Beautifully composed images, rich symbolism, lengthy and well-choreographed shots, and a stunning color palette make the film a visual feast, as one would expect from a director like Kubrick, a great American auteur.

Interesting film. Took me over 20 yrs after if was released to finally view it. There were lots I liked (Cruise's performance), the score, his reactions to how everyone treated him...and then there was the seemingly endless between scenes moments. A lot of meandering which can be okay, but lost me a few times. Good, but different than what I expected. 7.3 on a Kubrick scale.