Eyes Wide Shut, directed by the legendary Stanley Kubrick, is a film that has captivated and intrigued audiences since its release in 1999.
The movie, which was Kubrick’s final film, is based on the novella Traumnovelle by Austrian author Arthur Schnitzler.
In this article, we will delve deep into the world of Eyes Wide Shut, exploring its origins, characters, and themes, as well as providing a comprehensive book summary of Traumnovelle and a movie summary of Eyes Wide Shut.
We will also discuss the enigmatic ending, the legacy of the film, and other works by Stanley Kubrick and Arthur Schnitzler.
Book summary of Arthur Schnitzler’s Traumnovelle
Traumnovelle, or Dream Story in English, is a novella written by Arthur Schnitzler in 1926.
The story revolves around the protagonist, Dr. Fridolin, who embarks on a night of sexual and moral exploration after his wife, Albertina, confesses to having erotic fantasies about another man.
Driven by jealousy and curiosity, Fridolin wanders through the streets of Vienna and becomes involved in a series of increasingly dangerous and surreal encounters.
Throughout the novella, Fridolin struggles with his own desires and moral dilemmas, as well as his sense of identity and reality.
As the night unfolds, he becomes increasingly aware of the darker side of human nature, both in himself and in those around him.
The story concludes with Fridolin and Albertina reconciling and deciding to leave the events of the night behind them, but the lingering sense of unease and the questions about the nature of human desire remain with the reader.
Movie summary of Eyes Wide Shut
Stanley Kubrick’s film adaptation of Traumnovelle, titled Eyes Wide Shut, stars Tom Cruise as Dr. Bill Harford and Nicole Kidman as his wife, Alice Harford.
The movie follows a similar narrative to the novella, with Bill embarking on a night of sexual and moral exploration after Alice confesses to having fantasies about another man.
The setting is changed from Vienna to New York City, but the surreal atmosphere and dark exploration of human nature remain prevalent throughout the film.
As Bill navigates his way through a series of increasingly bizarre encounters, he is drawn to a mysterious and secretive society where an elaborate and dangerous masquerade ball is taking place.
As he delves deeper into this world, he becomes entangled in a web of deceit, desire, and danger.
The film’s ending, much like the novella, leaves the viewer with a lingering sense of unease and questions about the nature of human desire and morality.
Key characters and their roles in the story
Dr. Bill Harford is the protagonist of Eyes Wide Shut. He is a successful New York City doctor who is married to Alice Harford.
After Alice confesses her sexual fantasies about another man, Bill embarks on a night of exploration, driven by jealousy and curiosity.
He becomes entangled in a world of desire, danger, and deception, which ultimately forces him to confront his own desires and moral dilemmas.
Alice is Bill’s wife and the catalyst for the events that unfold in the story. After confessing her fantasies to Bill, she sets him on a path of sexual and moral exploration.
Throughout the film, Alice serves as a constant reminder of Bill’s love and loyalty, as well as his darker desires and fears.
Ziegler is a wealthy and influential friend of Bill’s who becomes involved in the secretive society that Bill discovers. He serves as a guide and a warning to Bill, helping him navigate the danger and deception that he encounters.
Domino is a young prostitute whom Bill meets during his night of exploration. She serves as one of the many temptations that Bill encounters, forcing him to confront his own desires and moral boundaries.
Nick Nightingale is an old friend of Bill’s who becomes involved in the secretive society that Bill discovers. His involvement ultimately leads to his disappearance and serves as a warning to Bill about the dangerous world he has entered.
The timeline and setting of Eyes Wide Shut
Eyes Wide Shut takes place over the course of several days, with the majority of the events occurring during one long, surreal night.
The film is set in New York City, which serves as a dark and mysterious backdrop for the story. The choice of setting adds a layer of realism to the film, grounding the surreal and dreamlike events in a familiar and recognizable world.
The timeline in Eyes Wide Shut is purposefully ambiguous, adding to the surreal and dreamlike atmosphere of the film. Events often seem to occur out of order or without a clear sense of time, which adds to the disorienting and unsettling experience of the viewer.
Film locations and their significance
The film locations in Eyes Wide Shut are an integral part of the story, providing a dark and mysterious backdrop for the events that unfold. Some of the key locations include:
The Harford’s apartment serves as the starting point for Bill’s journey into the world of desire and danger. It is a symbol of the comfortable and secure life that Bill and Alice share, as well as the secrets and desires that lie beneath the surface.
Ziegler’s mansion is the location of the lavish party that Bill and Alice attend at the beginning of the film. It serves as a gateway into the world of power and excess that Bill becomes entangled in.
The Sonata Café is a small jazz club where Bill meets his old friend, Nick Nightingale. It is here that Bill first learns of the secretive society and the mysterious masquerade ball.
The secretive society’s mansion is the location of the dangerous and elaborate masquerade ball that Bill infiltrates. It is a symbol of the darker side of human nature and desire, as well as the danger and deception that Bill encounters during his night of exploration.
The soundtrack by Jocelyn Pook
The haunting and atmospheric soundtrack for Eyes Wide Shut, composed by Jocelyn Pook, plays a crucial role in creating the surreal and dreamlike atmosphere of the film.
The music often features dissonant and eerie melodies, which contribute to the sense of unease and tension that pervades the film.
The soundtrack also includes several pieces of classical music, such as Shostakovich’s “Waltz No. 2” and Ligeti’s “Musica Ricercata,” which serve to heighten the film’s sense of drama and emotion.
Memorable quotes from Eyes Wide Shut
Eyes Wide Shut is filled with memorable quotes that capture the essence of the film’s themes and atmosphere.
Some of the most notable quotes include:
- “No dream is ever just a dream.” – Alice Harford
- “Life goes on. It always does, until it doesn’t.” – Ziegler
- “If you men only knew.” – Alice Harford
- “The important thing is: we’re awake now, and hopefully for a long time to come.” – Bill Harford
- “Everyone is entitled to their little secrets.” – Ziegler
Curiosities and lesser-known facts about the movie
- Eyes Wide Shut holds the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous film shoot, lasting 400 days.
- The film was released only a few days after Stanley Kubrick’s death in 1999.
- The mysterious mansion used for the secretive society’s masquerade ball is actually Mentmore Towers, a country house in England.
- The password “Fidelio” used by Bill to enter the masquerade ball is a reference to Beethoven’s only opera, which explores themes of loyalty and betrayal.
- Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, who were married at the time of filming, reportedly received therapy from Stanley Kubrick during the production of the film.
Tips for cosplaying and dressing like Eyes Wide Shut characters
Dressing up as characters from Eyes Wide Shut can be a fun and creative way to immerse yourself in the world of the film.
Here are some tips for creating your own Eyes Wide Shut-inspired costume:
- For Bill Harford‘s costume, wear a classic black tuxedo with a white dress shirt and black bow tie. Add a black overcoat and black dress shoes to complete the look.
- To dress as Alice Harford, choose an elegant evening gown in a rich color, such as red, blue, or gold. Complete the look with glamorous accessories, like a statement necklace and a sparkly clutch purse.
- For the masquerade ball costumes, wear a black cape or cloak and a Venetian-style mask. The masks in the film are often ornate and intricate, featuring feathers, jewels, and other decorations.
- To create a Domino costume, wear a form-fitting black dress, fishnet stockings, and black ankle boots. Add a black choker necklace and a dramatic smokey eye makeup look to complete the outfit.
Exploring the works of Arthur Schnitzler
Arthur Schnitzler (1862-1931) was an Austrian author and playwright whose works often explored themes of love, desire, and the darker side of human nature.
In addition to Traumnovelle, some of his other notable works include:
- Lieutenant Gustl (1901) – A controversial novella that explores themes of honor, masculinity, and the human psyche.
- Anatol (1893) – A play that examines the romantic and sexual escapades of the titular character, a young Viennese man.
- La Ronde (1900) – A provocative play that follows a series of interconnected love affairs, exploring themes of desire, morality, and social class.
The enigmatic ending of Eyes Wide Shut explained
The ending of Eyes Wide Shut is deliberately ambiguous and open to interpretation. In the final scene, Bill and Alice decide to leave the events of the night behind them and return to their normal lives.
However, the lingering sense of unease and the unanswered questions about the nature of human desire and morality remain with the viewer.
One possible interpretation of the ending is that Bill and Alice’s decision to forget the events of the night is a metaphor for the human tendency to ignore or repress our darker desires and fears.
In this interpretation, the film serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ignoring our own true nature and the dark side of human desire.
Remakes, sequels, and spin-offs: The legacy of Eyes Wide Shut
Although there have been no official remakes, sequels, or spin-offs of Eyes Wide Shut, the film has had a lasting impact on popular culture and has inspired numerous works in various media, including:
- Music videos, such as The Weeknd’s “Starboy” and Rihanna’s “S&M,” which feature visual references to the film’s iconic masquerade ball scene.
- TV shows, such as the Gossip Girl episode “Eyes Wide Open,” which includes a plotline involving a secret society and a masquerade ball.
- Books, such as the erotic novel Sleeping Beauty by Anne Rice, which explores similar themes of desire, power, and secret societies.
Stanley Kubrick’s other notable works
Stanley Kubrick (1928-1999) was an acclaimed American film director, screenwriter, and producer whose career spanned over four decades.
In addition to Eyes Wide Shut, some of his most notable works include:
- 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) – A groundbreaking science fiction film that explores themes of human evolution, artificial intelligence, and the nature of existence.
- A Clockwork Orange (1971) – A dystopian crime film that examines issues of free will, morality, and societal control.
- The Shining (1980) – A psychological horror film based on the novel by Stephen King, which explores themes of isolation, madness, and the supernatural.
- Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) – A satirical black comedy about the absurdity of the Cold War and the dangers of nuclear conflict.
Similar media to Eyes Wide Shut and Traumnovelle
If you enjoyed Eyes Wide Shut and Traumnovelle, you might also enjoy exploring the following films, books, and TV shows, which share similar themes and elements:
- Mulholland Drive (2001) – A surreal and enigmatic film by David Lynch that explores themes of desire, identity, and the dark side of Hollywood.
- The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988) – A film adaptation of Milan Kundera’s novel, which examines themes of love, desire, and the human condition.
- Last Tango in Paris (1972) – A controversial erotic drama that explores themes of sexuality, power, and emotional vulnerability.
- The Night Porter (1974) – A provocative film about a former concentration camp inmate and her former captor, who engage in a twisted and dangerous relationship.
Book club discussion questions for Eyes Wide Shut
- How does Eyes Wide Shut explore themes of desire, morality, and human nature?
- What is the significance of the masquerade ball and the secretive society in the film?
- How does the film’s surreal and dreamlike atmosphere contribute to its themes and impact?
- How do the characters of Bill and Alice represent different aspects of human desire and morality?
- What is the significance of the film’s ambiguous and enigmatic ending?
Eyes Wide Shut in video games and virtual reality experiences
Although there are no official video games or virtual reality experiences based on Eyes Wide Shut, the film’s themes and aesthetic have influenced the design and narrative of several popular games, such as:
- Heavy Rain (2010) – A psychological thriller video game that features a storyline involving a secretive and dangerous society.
- The Path (2009) – An indie horror game that explores themes of desire, fear, and the darker side of human nature.
- Bioshock (2007) – A first-person shooter game set in a dystopian underwater city, which explores themes of power, control, and the nature of human morality.
Travel guide: Visiting iconic Eyes Wide Shut locations
For fans of Eyes Wide Shut, visiting some of the iconic film locations can be an exciting and immersive experience.
Some of the key locations to visit include:
- Mentmore Towers, England – The country house used as the location for the secretive society’s masquerade ball.
- New York City, USA – The film’s primary setting, where many of the exterior scenes were filmed.
- Hatton Garden, London, England – The location of the film’s iconic jeweler’s shop scene.
- The Lanesborough Hotel, London, England – The luxurious hotel where Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman stayed during the filming of Eyes Wide Shut.
Conclusion
Eyes Wide Shut is a fascinating and enigmatic film that continues to captivate and intrigue audiences more than two decades after its release.
By exploring the film’s origins in Arthur Schnitzler’s novella, its characters, themes, and aesthetics, as well as the legacy and impact of the film, we can gain a deeper understanding of this cinematic masterpiece and the enduring questions it raises about human desire and morality.
