Kubrick's 'Eyes Wide Shut': Jealousy and the Unconscious in Cinema
Stanley Kubrick's final film 'Eyes Wide Shut' (1999) explores jealousy and unconscious desires through the seemingly perfect marriage of Alice (Nicole Kidman) and Bill Harford (Tom Cruise). Based on Arthur Schnitzler's 1925 novel 'Doppio sogno' (Dream Story), the film contrasts day and night, appearances and reality. Alice, under the influence of marijuana, confesses her jealousy and a past infatuation with a naval officer, triggering Bill's own descent into a night of temptation in New York. He attends a mysterious masked orgy, symbolizing the inaccessible unconscious. The film ends ambiguously in a toy store, suggesting that social masks are restored but the unconscious remains manipulated by consumerism. The final line 'Fuck is the answer' underscores the insolvable paradox of communication and desire.
Key facts
- Stanley Kubrick died days after completing the edit of 'Eyes Wide Shut'.
- The film is based on Arthur Schnitzler's 1925 novel 'Doppio sogno'.
- Alice and Bill Harford are played by Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise.
- Alice confesses her jealousy and desire for a naval officer while high on marijuana.
- Bill ventures into nocturnal New York, attending a masked orgy.
- The film's title refers to eyes being closed in sleep but open in dreams.
- The final scene is set in a toy store, critiquing consumerism.
- The article was written by Arianna Capirossi for MIfacciodiCultura on Artspecialday.
Entities
Artists
- Stanley Kubrick
- Nicole Kidman
- Tom Cruise
- Arthur Schnitzler
- Arianna Capirossi
Institutions
- Artspecialday
- MIfacciodiCultura
Locations
- New York
- United States