Eyes Wide Shut is a Stanley Kubrick take on the original story of loyalty and natural temptation featuring the director’s usual crystal clear, beautiful cinematography (despite not being shot in New York City) and some intriguing symbolism, but is hurt immensely by the mediocre performances of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Kidman believes constantly speaking three hushed words at a time to be a dramatic performance, and Cruise’s constant sheepish grin and laugh response to everything lacks conviction and is irritating.