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 Review by: Jack Hunt
I'm sitting here trying to come up with a clever comment about this film to make you want to see it. When in reality it doesn't matter what I say. As Stallone would say "I'm at least half a bum." The truth to it is, it kind of makes me sad that I haven't seen a movie since that affects so much. That almost 10 years after it's release, I still can not forget.
Successful Dr. William Harford (Tom Cruise) engages in a sexual fantasy world, where all his dreams and fears could be very well be discovered, and his wife Alice (Nicole Kidman) reveals that she’s had desires of her own. This sets him off on a nightlong journey to experience all of which he desired. It delves into realms of social responsibility and madness. Where he would only need to walk up or down a flight, and everything he ever wanted would be expecting him. It will either be contentment or regret, sure to be filled with triumphs over virtues.
To say the most, it's a powerful film. The directing is world class. The camera work is haunting and the soundtrack gives me chills. It's Cruise at his finest. He is so convincing that one might actually believe that this guy is Doctor Bill Harford and this really did happen to him, and that, my friends, is the definition of acting. The seriousness of the situation fades away with a stern smile as the plot thickens. To say the least, it is one of those movies you could watch over and over again. To be honest with you, I didn't buy it the first time I saw it. I thought it was good, but not great. Then one day I was bored, so I decided to see it again. And that's when it happened, Kubrick came alive. I became infected by his genius and captivated by Cruise's portrayal; his realization and his detail.
It's hard to pick my favorite scene in the movie. I couldn't pretend if I tried. I particularly love the opening party scene. That leads to a "Baby did a bad bad thing.” Cruise being assaulted on the street being so eloquently called a fag. The prostitute. From the piano bar to the costume shop. And finally, the unionized orgy party, that I find hard to believe doesn't really exist. Maybe only guys like Kubrick or Cruise will ever really know if they do or not.
Movie Score: 10/10
Presentation
Call me crazy, but I love this transfer. This isn’t a bold statement in the world of Iron Man’s and Incredible Hulk’s, but this Blu-ray stays true to form or more importantly Stanley Kubrick’s intent. The heavy use of background and natural light is often misleading to some Blu-ray fans, as it might appear to be heavy grain or noise. (Try to find Christmas lights in every scene) But originally, the film itself has a very soft picture. While I do agree that the depth suffers from this, the image remains sharp. The colors are bold, often are not deep enough. Having seen this film in the Theaters, I’d say it’s true to the original design and remains a fairly nice upgrade over the DVD release.
Presentation Score: 7/10
Extras
The long awaited (Unrated Version) finally hits America to little resolve from curious fans and haters alike. The unrated version features some scenes, mansion orgy related, that were previously covered up by some hardly or noticeable, depending on how much you care, animated characters. The sexual descriptions were thought to be too much for American audiences, and for once I agree. Nothing to see here people, just some vague grinding and poorly stimulated sex. The Features themselves are solid. The Last Movie, gives an inside look on the man himself. A rare look inside the world of Stanley Kubrick and his family. I particularly enjoy the interviews given by Cruise, who explains the time and depth of character he invested into the film, and by Kidman and Spielberg, given shortly after Kubrick’s untimely death in 1999.
Extras Score: 10/10
In conclusion
Many people might disagree with me when I say Eyes Wide Shut is one of Kubrick's greatest films, but how come I think it is every time I watch it? To me, it's more than a beautiful work of art. More than a visceral painted picture or a haunting melody. It's a masterpiece that will be studied and treasured. The Blu-ray release is an easy recommendation to any fan or first time viewer of the film. Simply put, Kubrick's final gift to us all. "I have seen one or two things in my life but never, never anything like this."
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