As a film enthusiast who has spent countless hours poring over the works of legendary directors like Stanley Kubrick, I must say that Eyes Wide Shut is one of those movies that leaves you pondering long after the credits roll. It’s not your typical holiday fare, but it certainly weaves a unique and dark Christmas tapestry.
Several films often spark discussions about whether they are Christmas movies include “Die Hard” from 1988 and “Gremlins” from 1984. Interestingly, “Eyes Wide Shut,” Stanley Kubrick’s erotic thriller from 1999 starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, could be a contentious choice for this list due to its unique theme.
At Christmas time, the film “Eyes Wide Shut” revolves around Dr. Bill Harford (played by Cruise), a New Yorker, who contemplates joining a clandestine sexual group following his wife’s (Kidman) disclosure of considering an extramarital affair. The intriguing question among fans is whether this psychosexual drama can be categorized as a holiday movie due to its setting and themes. Nonetheless, others claim that the plot events are unrelated to the festivities of Christmas. Therefore, is “Eyes Wide Shut” a Christmas movie? Does Stanley Kubrick’s last film, which delves into elitism, hold any hidden holiday charm?
A Brief Recap of ‘Eyes Wide Shut’
Dr. Bill Harford resides with his spouse, Alice, and their daughter Helena in a luxurious New York apartment. Following one evening when they left Helena with a babysitter, Bill and Alice attended an extravagant, elite holiday gathering, during which they both subtly flirted with other guests. The subsequent night, Christmas Eve, they conversed about their experiences at the party, and Alice confessed to having had a profound affection for a naval officer from years past. Meanwhile, Bill is summoned to treat a patient, his mind disturbed by the recent revelation of Alice’s past infatuation.
Later in the evening, I find myself reconnecting with an old medical school comrade, a pianist named Nick. He hints at a clandestine gig he’s playing that very night, revealing only the performance details at the last moment. After some persuasion, Nick shares the details of this enigmatic affair, informing me I must acquire a robe and mask to blend in undercover.
Bill makes his way to the grand estate, dons appropriate attire, and reveals the necessary code phrase. However, upon entry, he stumbles upon a massive occult gathering in full swing. A masked, nude woman alerts him to imminent peril, yet before he can learn more, Bill is exposed as an uninvited guest by the host. The masked lady bravely gives up her life for Bill’s safety, and he leaves the scene, ridden with guilt, back to his wife.
In the following days, Nick and the woman he had recently met are both nowhere to be found. When summoned by Victor Ziegler, a member of the society, Nick learns some answers but is threatened to keep silent. Upon his return, Bill confesses everything to Alice, who expresses that they need to have intimate moments soon with each other.
The Christmas Setting Is Intentional
Eyes Wide Shut, originally based on a 1926 German Novella named Dream Story set during Mardi Gras in Vienna, was creatively reimagined by Kubrick as the story unfolds at Christmastime in New York. This shift is evident through Bill’s journey along snowy streets, with characters seen wrapping gifts, festive trees decorating the backdrop, and more. The majority of the narrative transpires at different Christmas and holiday parties, ranging from the film’s introduction to the pivotal orgy scene occurring on Christmas Eve itself.
The movie “Eyes Wide Shut” might be seen as a critique of capitalistic values symbolized by New York City and Christmas. Essentially, one could view this film as a unique twist on traditional holiday movies, using its setting to comment on materialism. Given that the story partly satirizes the wealthy and powerful, it’s plausible that “Eyes Wide Shut” uses its Christmas backdrop to highlight how commercialized the holiday has become. Instead of focusing on spirituality or family, the holiday is often associated with gift-giving and consumerism, much like how people are exploited in the film.
Christmas Is a Metaphor
Certainly not a conventional holiday film, “Eyes Wide Shut” has long been shrouded in mystery, much like many of Stanley Kubrick’s other works. Its enigmatic nature only intensifies the debate around its true meaning. The movie is highly explicit, featuring a significant amount of nudity, particularly among women, to such an extent that it could potentially be interpreted as anti-feminist in some perspectives.
The film doesn’t delve deeply into Christmas itself, but rather focuses on the ideals that Christmas symbolizes and how they intertwine with the themes presented in Eyes Wide Shut. It delves into the hidden hypocrisy found within the innocence of holiday spirit, as well as the mask of polite society and the raw, untamed human desires lurking beneath. In essence, Eyes Wide Shut could be seen as Stanley Kubrick’s interpretation of a darkly themed Christmas movie.
This may not be a family movie and should definitely only be enjoyed once the kids are comfortably dreaming of sugar plums. But, with its seasonal setting and seemingly pointed opinions on the holiday, Eyes Wide Shut is as much of a Christmas movie as any. Stream on Paramount+.
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2024-12-20 01:31