The Information on: `Eyes Wide Shut'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.What Is It?
Stanley Kubrick's much-hyped final film, adapted from Arthur Schnitzler's 1926 book, Traumnovelle, about sexual desire. Most critics agree it is not remotely erotic, but is instead stilted, portentous and voyeuristic.
Who's In it?
Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman spent two years making the film, in which they play a doctor and his wife, thrown into turmoil when her fantasy involving another man provokes Dr Harford (Tom Cruise) to make a sexual odyssey.
What They Say About It
"A dismal and overwrought piece of work... it retains all that is repressed, controlled and withdrawn in Stanley Kubrick's film-making," Anthony Quinn, The Independent.
"If you want an alienated look at intimacy that really gets somewhere, try middle-period Bergman. If you want a fond, rather than chilly, acknowledgment that love is shot through with its opposites, try Max Ophuls. But go to Eyes Wide Shut to be hypnotised by control," Adam Mars Jones, The Times.
"It's perfectly watchable - engrossing even - but neither shocking, erotic nor profound. For all its conspicuous ambitions, it's actually rather silly," Geoff Andrew, Time Out.
"As an essay on the nature of sexuality, it is vulgar and pretentious, but taken as a bizarre, hallucinatory black comic fable about married life, it is plausible and enjoyable," Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian.
Where You Can See It
Eyes Wide Shut (18, 159 mins) is on general release.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments