Tom Cruise Says This Is the One Film He’ll Always Be ‘Incredibly Proud’ Of

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Tom Cruise has frequently discussed what it was like to film Stanley Kubrick’s last movie, ‘Eyes Wide Shut,’ which came out in 1999.

This New York City-based thriller features Tom Cruise as a doctor whose world is turned upside down when his wife, Nicole Kidman, confesses to once contemplating infidelity. The revelation launches him into a frantic night navigating a mysterious underground world, where he’s forced to face uncomfortable truths about his own life.

Speaking to CNN, Cruise described the experience of working with Kubrick as extraordinary.

According to Cruise, the script was powerful and emotionally resonant. Working with Kubrick was a unique experience; Kubrick preferred to provide a minimalist foundation, allowing the audience to actively engage with and interpret the film.

He explained that Kubrick intended for viewers to interpret the story through their own experiences. Kubrick wanted the audience to connect with the film on a personal level, almost as if they were the ones with the answers to the questions it raised.

Tom Cruise remembered seeing the film in New York and wishing he could have shared the experience with Nicole Kidman and Stanley Kubrick in London. Unfortunately, their busy schedules – Kidman was performing on stage and Cruise was traveling to Australia – made that impossible. He explained, “I was really amazed and stunned by the movie, and so proud to have been involved in it.”

The film Eyes Wide Shut is adapted from Arthur Schnitzler’s 1926 short story, Dream Story. Stanley Kubrick obtained the rights to make the film in the 1960s, but didn’t begin working on it until decades later, collaborating with writer Frederic Raphael.

Filmed primarily in England, the movie featured incredibly detailed sets recreating New York City streets. It was one of the first major films to use the VistaVision format since the 1960s. The production took a remarkable 400 days to complete, earning a Guinness World Record for the longest continuous filming period.

The film first premiered in Los Angeles on September 8, 1999, and then opened in theaters across the United States on July 16. To get an R rating, Warner Bros. made some digital changes to remove particularly graphic content.

The movie initially received mixed reviews, but critics have generally become more positive about it over time. Currently, it has a 76% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many reviewers highlighting Stanley Kubrick’s skillful direction, the film’s powerful intensity, and its immersive, dreamlike quality.

Film critics, including Michael Wilmington from the Chicago Tribune, hailed the movie as a masterpiece, highlighting its captivating suspense and striking visuals.

Critics consistently praised Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut for its distinctive, unsettling, and sensual atmosphere. Roger Ebert pointed to Kubrick’s consistent tone, while James Berardinelli applauded the film’s daring examination of sexual ethics and Nicole Kidman’s acting. Janet Maslin of The New York Times called it a haunting and thoughtful exploration of desire, retaining Kubrick’s trademark dreamlike quality.

Cruise still feels very proud of the film and cherishes his experience working with Kubrick. He said, “I was incredibly proud to be in his movie.”

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2025-11-03 14:14