Eyes Wide Shut

MPAA Rating: R

Entertainment: +3

Content: -3 1/2

Even with the advance publicity, Stanley Kubricks final film may be an eye opener for some. Kubricks films are rarely simple stories but favor multiple levels of interpretive themes. The principle theme here revolves around truth and deception, particularly in a marriage relationship. Dr. Bill Harford (Tom Cruise) and his wife Alice (Nicole Kidman) have been married for nine years. After a party and a shared marijuana cigarette, Alice and Bill argue about men and womens viewpoint on sex. When Alice reveals an unfulfilled fantasy with a stranger, Bill is stunned. After tending to a patients death, Bill wanders somewhat aimlessly until an old friend tells him about a mysterious masked party. Bill follows his friend to the party which turns out to be a sexual orgy. Unmasked as an outsider, Bill is threatened but saved by an unknown woman. Still shocked by Alices revelation and the warning from the party, Bill tries to hide his actions from Alice. But deceptions rarely hold up for long. While not Kubricks best, his multi-layered but dispassionate, artistic film will draw fans and the voyeuristic curious. The entertainment rating reflects more the expected box office pull of the starring couple than audience enjoyment.

Originally rated with an NC-17, the film contains graphic sexual action and full frontal female nudity several times, some for extended periods. Much has been made of digital obscurement to hide more graphic action, but still produces strong images. One scene features a couple smoking marijuana, while another references shooting up with heroin and cocaine. The shooter is urged to quit and get rehabilitation but is later referenced as having died of an overdose. A prostitute asks Bill to come to her home, but hes interrupted before anything happens. While Alice talks about her fantasy and Bill is offered several opportunities, neither commits a physical act of infidelity. But Jesus said that the thought is equal to the deed. And Bill tries to hide his action from Alice. Foul language is frequently used with 18 f-words, many spoken by Alice, along with numerous crudities and several irreverent uses of Gods name. One particularly disturbing image starts with an religious looking ritual as a man in red robes stands in a circle swinging an incense censer. While religion is not specifically implied further, the ritual hints of possible occultic rites. Obivously. EYES WIDE SHUT is not recommended viewing.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor:
Warner Bros., 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522

Summary
The following categories contain objective listings of film content which contribute to the subjective numeric Content ratings posted to the left and on the Home page.

Crude Language: Many times - Mild 8, moderate 10

Obscene Language: Many times - F-word 18, s-word 3, other 7

Profanity: Several times - Regular 1, exclamatory 5

Violence: Few times - mild (pushing, shoving)

Sex: Several times - graphic movement with nudity (various couples), sexual variations; implied few times by conversation, once by man zipping pants

Nudity: Frequent - full female frontal several times, female breast and rear nudity (extended scenes), male rear; Near nudity - women in underwear, breasts seen thru sheer top, men in in underwear

Sexual Dialogue/Gesture: Many times - man tries to pick up Alice, women flirt sugesstively w/doctor, talk about women losing virginity, sensual kissing, mans hand on womans buttocks, references to to making love, description of womans fantasy/dream, man propositioned by prostitute, man unbuttons womans jacket, man implies daughter available for sex

Drugs: Alcohol (beer, wine spirits), women act intoxicated, reference to shooting up heroin and cocaine, marijuana smoked by doctor and wife, cigarette smoking

Other: Woman on commode, doctor encourages rehab for drug user, Man/woman resist advances because married, sex party implies religious - possibly occultic - ritual (use of censer and and red robed leader in circle)

Running Time: 155 minutes
Intended Audience: Adults


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