Nicole Kidman Shares Candid Thoughts on Tom Cruise & Stanley Kubrick

Nicole Kidman Shares Candid Thoughts on Tom Cruise & Stanley Kubrick

As a huge fan of cinema history, I hold Stanley Kubrick‘s final film, “Eyes Wide Shut,” in high regard due to its unique production background and the profound impact it had on both the actors involved and the movie industry as a whole.


In 1999, the release of “Eyes Wide Shut” caused quite a stir for several reasons. This film marked the last work of renowned director Stanley Kubrick, who tragically passed away at the age of 70, only six days after submitting his final cut to Warner Bros. The production was veiled in secrecy, and it starred Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, a married couple portraying troubled characters on screen. Additionally, it offered an unusual peek into the erotic realm for both actors.

As a huge fan looking back, I can now say that “Eyes Wide Shut” brought in the most revenue worldwide for Kubrick during his career, but it sparked mixed reactions from regular moviegoers. Since its premiere over 25 years ago, this film has undergone reevaluation and is now regarded as one of Kubrick’s masterpieces. In an interview with The Los Angeles Times, Kidman reminisced about the production of “Eyes Wide Shot,” which stretched from a planned six-month shoot to nearly two years for both her and Cruise. This film holds the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous shoot at 400 days. Despite the lengthy process, Kidman shared that she would have stayed even longer on set.

During the filming of “Eyes Wide Shut,” it’s reasonable to think that Kubrick drew inspiration from Kidman and Cruise’s real-life marriage to develop the characters of Dr. Bill Harford and Alice Harford. Kidman herself has acknowledged this possibility when asked about it.

Based on my understanding of the text, it seems that this person was a thoughtful and careful storyteller who valued clear communication and understanding among his group. He was deeply interested in exploring ideas but understood the potential pitfalls of triangular relationships, where one person could feel isolated or ganged up on. This experience likely came from his own life, as he shared a quote about the challenges of such situations. Despite this awareness, he knew how to navigate these complex dynamics and ensure that everyone felt heard and involved in the conversation. Overall, I believe that this individual was a skilled communicator who valued empathy and collaboration in all of his interactions.

Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman Played a Married Couple in Crisis

In the movie, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman portray a couple experiencing jealousy and desire over a few days. Following a heavy marijuana session, Kidman’s character Alice confesses that she had considered leaving her husband and daughter, Helena (played by Madison Eginton), for a naval officer the previous year. This confession startles Bill, leading him on a journey with multiple potential romantic encounters and a significant night at an exclusive masked orgy hosted by a mysterious elite society. The scene where Kidman reveals her infidelity desires is crucial to the film’s development, and Kidman herself mentions they put great effort into perfecting it.

Tom and I were the ones portraying that part, and it began with me lighting up a spliff in bed while laughing. Following this, I delivered an extended speech.

Kidman revealed that the scene evolved through frequent discussions among Kubrick, herself, and Cruise, as their working dynamic improved. Regarding her experience compared to her male counterpart, Kidman was treated respectfully according to her, as Kubrick had a preference for women. However, she acknowledged that Kubrick had distinct connections with both actors. Kidman expressed:

Women also played a role in the dynamic between Stanley and Tom. Stanley held a special affinity towards women, which led to a closer working relationship with Tom when it came to developing his character.

Kidman Says Kubrick Was Very Happy with Eyes Wide Shut

As a film enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of cinema, I’ve come to appreciate that every movie release is a unique event with its own set of intricacies and complexities. With this perspective in mind, let me share my thoughts on Stanley Kubrick’s “Eyes Wide Shut.”

I’ve come to appreciate Eyes Wide Shut more and more over time, with modern critics hailing it as one of Kubrick’s greatest works. Although some people have raised questions about the film since Kubrick passed away just days after delivering the final cut, I firmly believe that the completed version was exactly what he intended.

“He’d been working on it for nearly a year and a half, and he was content with the result. Surprisingly, he decided to share it with us, an unusual move for Stanley. The executives from Warner were present as well, indicating that no further revisions were planned.”

You can presently view “Eyes Wide Shut” at no cost on Pluto TV, or rent it on digital services such as YouTube and Amazon Prime Video.

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2024-07-23 22:32