What's the deal with the costume shop owner's daughter? In the end, the abundance of choice creates temptation but alsomakes it harder for people to settleand make up their minds. Loosely based on Arthur Schnitzler's novella Traumnovelle ( Dream Story ), Eyes Wide Shut is about an upper-middle class doctor (Cruise) who finds out his wife (Kidman) once fantasied about cheating on her husband. Did they kill Mandy? The daughter of Mr Milich whispers that Bill should get a cloak lined with ermine. While these are the questions that not a lot of people consider while choosing awedding venue, the reality strikes sooner or later. Bill is shaken by the events of the previous two days and is just glad he can go back to living his everyday life. However, the nude masked woman who 'redeems' him at the masked ball is somebody else entirely. And Freud always would say dreams are wish fulfillment. It is about the eternal back-and-forth between the male and female principles in a confused and decadent modern world. Throughout his adventures, like any dreamer, he is occasionally saved by the bell. But What is , , really? *The original theatrical version included a goof in an early scene (a boom operator was reflected on a steel shower stall post in Victor Ziegler's bathroom) this has been digitally removed on the home video releases. Oh, and if this article doesnt answer all of your questions, drop me a comment or an FB chat message, and Ill get you the answer. Who was the masked cult leader in the red cloak? The partys password was Fidelio, the name of Beethovens opera. Edit, Somewhat loosely translated, it means:"We still pray for the mercy, the life, the peace, the health, the salvation, the scrutiny, neglection and forgiveness of the sins of God's servants, worshipers, almsgivers, benefactors of this holy site. Bill does confess. The state of affairs as Bill begins the next phase of his journey. Some notable ones include:2001: A Space Odyssey: A sign on a building prominently displays the name "Bowman", a reference to David Bowman, a major character in the film. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. Following this line of reasoning, the moviemay be deciphered from a feminist perspective. The movies message may be understood from quite feminist perspective even though it's not too evident. The attendees are in many ways wearing masks too. The Hortus deliciarum (Latin for Garden of Delights) was the first female-authored encyclopedia. Based on the 1926 novella Traumnovelle (Dream Story) by Arthur Schnitzler, the story is transferred from early 20th-century Vienna to 1990s New York City. Well, despite his curiosity, it seems that, by the end of the movie, Bill voluntarily chooses toreturn to the state of blissful ignorance. All of them cross the mind, but there are compelling reasons to believe other possibilities, but enough loopholes in all those possibilities, to leave doubts about them all. Mandy was not the same woman. This is one of the questions thatEyes Wide Shutasks quite boldly. Tragically it was the director's final film with Kubrick dying less than a week after screening an incomplete cut for the studio and its stars. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. All of them could be lying to him. However, their calling him gay may have encouraged him even more so to have an affair as being called gay was a likely blow to his manhood and to heighten his sense of self-deprecation and self-consciousness because Bill is heartbroken of his wife's adulterous feelings. Eyes Wide Shut is a 1999 erotic mystery psychological drama film directed, produced and co-written by Stanley Kubrick. He also learns of a, the situation turns from strange to outright dangerous, . This is a subtle line implying that she might have some awareness of the event that Bill is heading to. | Edit, The identity of the masked couple is never explained. By Richard T. Jameson in the September-October 1999 Issue. The masked woman in the secret party appears to be Mandy (Amanda Curran), who overdosed on speedball in the movies opening, and Bill revived her. 1 "Yes, of course, if it's fine tomorrow," said Mrs. Ramsay. Edit, The draft screenplay refers to her as being "maybe 14." We have to. Bill has a series of comforting minutes in her company: the warm apartment, Dominos enchanting embrace, and a magical kiss akin to kindling fire: a single ember to light his way through the darkness. Her work on the 1999 feature - Kubrick's final film - would make her name, with Stanley offering something scarce in the world of film music: free reign. While the final movie was greeted with somewhat mixed reviews at the time, the appreciation for Eyes Wide Shut has only grown since its 1999 debut. Photo: Warner Bros. Watching Eyes Wide Shut again, it seems that everything that befell Doctor "BILL" was the result of his wife being a member of the satanic organization. Everyone walking around in masks only to stand and watch others have sex? Eyes Wide Shut is not simply about a relationship, it is about all of the outside forces and influences that define that relationship. To be able to not act on those impulses would possibly be the closest definition of not cheating. For what reason does William Harford reject the prostitute "Domino" and only gives her the money for nothing? Lastly, when asked about the second password, he claimed that he forgot, whereas every member of society would know that there is no second password to begin with. Take a moment to watch the pool table scene below. Crossroads, entrances, night, light, magic, and witchcraft are just a few of the things Hecate is linked to. amateur, milf. The movie follows Harford as he agonizes over both what his wife had told him and his feelings of jealousy, rage, and revenge. This seemingly out of place scene, what does it mean and how does it fit the jigsaw puzzle that is Eyes Wide Shut?First, knowing Kubrick and his meticulousness in every object and every symbol in every frame of his films, it is a given that he intended on this scene to be in the film. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. , its not outside of the realm of possibility. Privacy Policy. Was this a fantasy he had of the original party? And like a dream, this text from the ancient Sanskrit scripture The Upanishads describes the characters of Alice and Bill vaguely and dreamily: We are similar to the spider. However,a choice is never free of consequences. Unlike in movies like Filth, here, secret societies are portrayed as far less trivial and far more sinister. Stacey is a talented freelance writer passionate about all things pop culture. Although it is easy to miss upon a first viewing, note the parallels between Red Cloak's gestures with the incense ball and Ziegler's moves playing with the white cue ball at the billiards table, and later with the chalk how Zeigler hits the pool table twice while talking with Bill about the death of Mandy.Zeigler also points at Bill in a threatening manner when Bill questions him about the death of Mandy, which is very similar in camera angle to Red Cloak's threat to Bill at the mansion.Also, the scene with Bill and Zeigler ends with Bill stepping into a blue light emulating from outside a window. This is precisely what Stanley Kubricks 1999 movie is all about heres the plot and ending of Eyes Wide Shut explained; spoilers ahead. The Somerton Mansion sequences are a symbolic revisit to the Ziegler party, minus the Christmas decorations, false smiles, fake personas, and "social graces" of high society. This is the base psychological reality of the Zeigler party laid bare.But some of the strongest suggestions that Zeigler is Red Cloak happen late in the film at Zeigler's mansion during his discussion with Bill about the orgy gathering;Note how Zeigler had a red-colored billiards table and he walks around the pool table during most of the scene. Next, Bill embarks on a night-long journey filled with intrigue, which includes: infiltrating an unnamed secret society with a rented Venetian mask and a password: Fidelio. Also of note, the masked man with the three-cornered hat is briefly seen again in another room of the house, where he appears with another masked nude woman in which he whispers something to her to approach Bill while he leaves the room (presumably to report Bill's whereabouts to the cult leader). To find where to stream any movie or series based on your country, use This Is Barrys Where To Watch. Again, Bill doesnt want to probe further; he is OK with the belief that keeps him happy. They go. We use cookies to optimize our website and our service. You can find other film explanations using the search option on top of the site. How many versions of Eyes Wide Shut are there? Who are the masked couple in the orgy party, and why does the masked man with the three-cornered hat nod his head at Bill? A sub for fans to discuss the work of Stanley Kubrick, Press J to jump to the feed. Had he not returned to Dominos, he would have never found out that he dodged this bullet. Edit, In the novella the doctor assumes that his wife found the mask. There are flirtations (Ziegler with Bill's wife) and innuendo, seduction (the man Alice is dancing with). This whole issue takes on a deeper meaning, since, in real life Cruise and Kidman were actually married (from 1990 until 2001).Some have stated they believe that Bill's sexual adventures (after the party) were part of a bizarre dream. What's with the guys on the street jeering at Bill and calling him gay? True, Eyes Wide Shut is more about Bill's psychological state, but how many people realized that the only reason Alice tells Bill about the naval officer is that Bill went missing at the party with the two models? That double-hitting is something I saw earlier in the film. The following evening, Alice shares a glimpse of fantasy with Bill. Actress Leelee Sobieski was aged 16 at the time of the film's release. Do you notice that Pollack keeps hitting various objects he holds, the ball for example, twice against the red table? So, if she just decided to stay discrete, theres no way he would have ever found out. Also, the odd dialogue between bill and nightengale is a result of nightengale half playing a part, half making fun of bill to his face. Later, at the party, Bill flirts with two spellbinding women who bring to mind the Moirai, while Alice drunkenly considers but ultimately rejects the overtures of a Faustian bargain from a middle-aged Hungarian businessman acting as the Devils agent. Do you notice how the light turns blue around the two men men near the end of the scene? Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. In the first place, Bill is a daydreamer and easily sidetracked. Was this a fantasy she had of the original party? The significance and symbolism of the deity are usually the emphases of these resources. With Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Madison Eginton, Jackie Sawiris. Edit, It is a metaphor for his lack of self confidence. The name of the store where Bill rents his elite ritual costume: "Rainbow". There are many, many readings of the story available, with the movie itself embracing a sort of dream/nightmare logic. What happened to the woman? Is it only cheating when someone is involved in physical adultery? Leon Vitali was a long-term personal assistant to Stanley Kubrick on several of his films, including 'Eyes Wide Shut'. Edit, It is implied that the two Asian businessmen had paid off Mr. Milich not to report them to the police, and he had decided to pimp his daughter after that. The verses, "paritranaya sadhunam, vinasaya ca duskritam, dharma-samstapanarthaya, sambhavami yuge yuge", are heard on the soundtrack (track 9), as well as the United States DVD releases. 1. You can find other film explanations using the search option on top of the site. Some questions are better left unasked, some doors are better left unanswered, and some secret sex parties are better left unattended. He will continue to serve Ziegler and the elite and will know his place and live a nice life with his wife and family, actively ignoring the ugliness and danger that surrounds the ones above him. simulation), both of which are part of the films motifs. Bill then expresses gratitude for Dominos time and departs for the night after compensating her. The sole sex scene. An examination of Alice's dream in the screenplay and how it relates to the film. Sydney Pollack (1934-2008) Victor Ziegler. But in the next scene when he arrives home, the mask is nowhere to be seen, and no explanation is ever given as to whether Bill took the mask home with him, or dropped it on his way out of the mansion. Furthermore, there is a wonderful quote that parallels this: The pendulum of the mind oscillates between sense and nonsense, not between right and wrong. Carl Jung wrote in his semi-autobiographical book Memories, Dreams, Reflections. But something entirely new just hit me the other day. Every night he lays his head down, there it will be.A third interpretation is that the masked orgy-goers had sent an agent to enter the apartment who left the mask there as a threat and a warning to Bill not to interfere with them again. For example, several female characters appear more intuitive and cognizant than their male counterparts, who hide behind personas (i.e. But there are quite a few hints that the Red Cloak leader of the cult is Victor Zeigler himself.One interesting clue is the torn newspaper article that Bill gives to Zeigler which details about Mandy's death (which mirrors the story that the desk clerk told Bill earlier about two men returning Nick Nightingale to his hotel), the end of the article describes that the dead woman, who's body that Bill Harfort saw in the morgue, had an affair with a London fashion design editor named Leon Vitali. All the while, he is being led astray by a shadowy, fragmented society of strange people and strange phenomena that are erupting all around him at the same time. To her son these words conveyed an extraordinary joy, as if it were settled, the expedition were bound to take place, and the wonder to which he had looked forward, for years and years it seemed, was, after a night's darkness and a day's sail, within touch . What were some of the references to Kubrick's other films? It is something that will go to bed with him forever. Some viewers have also speculated that the gathering at the Somerton Mansion was symbolic rather than literal a dream sequence of sorts influenced by Bill smoking pot with Alice earlier in the evening.Red Cloak and Victor Zeigler are both hosts of their own party. In the end, Bill cries his eyes out and confesses everything about the two previous days to his wife. A sinister gathering attended by the rich and powerful there are sleek limousines waiting outside, while our hero unwittingly arrives in a yellow cab it's a cavalcade of carnality filled with. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Answer (1 of 4): The End Of the movie is the key to understand the whole movie. The focus of Eyes Wide Shut is the scary connection between the erotic and the anonymous. 2. He intended to sleep with Domino, and if not caught at the party, he might have indulged in the orgy too. Eyes Wide Shut - Ritual Scene - Tom Cruise - Stanley Kubrick.The classic ritual scene from Eyes Wide Shut staring Tom Cruise. In Eyes Wide Shut, when Alice dances with the Hungarian, he makes the comment about marriage - people get married so they can then be with the ones "they really want". This scene was filmed in an ac. Fidelio is also the name of the only opera by Beethoven, which tells how Leonore, disguised as a prison guard named "Fidelio," rescues her husband Florestan from death in a political prison.In addition, there are comprehensive websites that provide deep analysis on the film's hidden meaning. Eyes Wide Shut told a seemingly strange story about a married couple, Bill (Cruise) and Alice (Kidman), over the holidays as they go to a rich friend Victor's (Sydney Pollack) Christmas party, both of them experiencing flirtations with attractive strangers. Tom Cruise in the Masked Ball ritual scene from Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece Eyes Wide Shut with Jocelyn Pook's haunting score filling the temple. The incident with him being shoved aside and then mocked and taunted could simply illustrate that a guy like Bill shouldn't be out roaming the streets at that time of night and that he is out of his depth, so to speak.Alternate Answer: I have seen Eyes Wide Shut countless times (obviously, as a Kubrick fanatic). Home; Videos; Categories; Webcams; Eyes Wide Shut Ritual Scene. The Christmas party is a facade. No, Alice was not at the party with the ritual. . We dont know. Full 1080. While at the Christmas party he is seduced and declines, during the night and the masked ball, he attempts to have sex, but never succeeds. In keeping with the filmmaker's quest for perfection, the shoot for Eyes Wide Shut famously rolled on, with the movie holding the record for the longest consecutiveshoot, as filming began in late 1996 and wrapped in mid-1998. It is based on the 1926 novella "Traumnovelle" ("Dream Story") by Arthur Schnitzler. Some people despair about all thesecrets that theyll never get to discover. Pingback: ESOTERIC HOLLYWOOD: Eyes Wide Shut As Ritual WorkingAlternative News Network | Alternative News Network. The movie is based on the 1920's novella Dream Storyand Kubrick developed the project for decades, and once considered a slightly more comedic take with Steve Martin in the lead role. In the end, while thinking outside the box can be good for you. As a result, the groundwork for his Pinnochian adventure has been laid. Meanwhile, Bill is quietly summoned upstairs for what appears to be an emergency just as the two bewitching and haunting women are about to demonstrate where the rainbow ends.. Dreams and the subconscious are powerful, and have the ability to transform our waking. while they were on vacation. It seems that Bill always repeats any question asked of him and repeats back any information given to him. If you look at it purely based on his actions, then yes, he did cheat. He intended to sleep with Domino, and if not caught at the party, he might have indulged in the orgy too. FYI, unfortunately I could only find this version of the pool table scene on YouTube. A part-time hobby soon blossomed into a career when he discovered he really loved writing about movies, TV and video games; he even (arguably) had a little bit of talent for it. The host is the same. Had he not returned to Dominos, he would have never found out that he dodged this bullet. In the modern world, theres the idea that partners are not indispensable and that there are always other options out there. 4. of their value on the sexual market. To make matters even worse, theres this concept known as. What is the significance of this ? This is precisely what Stanley Kubricks 1999 movie is all about heres the plot and ending of Eyes Wide Shut explained; spoilers ahead. Likewise, Amor is an anagram of Mora. When Stanley Kubrick hired Jocelyn Pook to write the score for Eyes Wide Shut, she was a relatively unknown composer on the cusp of her big break. In the end, while thinking outside the box can be good for you,the box is there for a reason. What if thats exactly how it played out, and she just told him that she never acted upon it? But What is cheat, really? The Christmas party is the ritual party. Bill realizes how close he got to possibly contracting the disease. Warner Bros. cut this before release of the film due to protests from Hindu organizations due to a holy scripture's use during a lustful scene. The only difference between that night and the previous one was Bills, So, is ignorance bliss? The (unnamed) woman in the mask who warns. He then breaks down crying and confesses to Alice his misadventures of the past few days. Its possible that Alice was just frustrated that she refused the advances of a man she was attracted to while Bill was drooled over by two models just across the room. *Most non-English language versions translated copies of the letter Dr. Harford receives when returning to the front gate of the house with the "forbidden party" and of the newspaper article about the ex-Miss N.Y., Mandy, were shot and replaced the original English text. Firstly, the meeting is organized only for the wealthiest members of the society, and while everyone came in a limo, Bill arrived in a cab. Once the cat was out of the bag, the thought of his wife fantasizing about another man sent him. The entire scene is ripe with allusion and ambiguity. This fits in with the theory that a majority of the film was actually a dream created within Bill's jealous mind.Being called gay is not necessarily important. But I personally prefer the dream theory, which is what the original book Traumnovelle, "Dream Story" in english, tend to expose. 11:00. Did she find it and then leave it there to confront him? The only difference between that night and the previous one was Billsawareness of their existence. Other interpretations are floating around, including the idea Alice was also at the party, and while there's no set meaning for how the mask got on that pillow, the idea Alice put it there herself seems to be the prevailing theory. Kubrick has updated the story to present-day New York City, with Cruise and Kidman playing Dr. William and Alice Harford, the two principals. What is the real meaning of Eyes Wide Shut? The wheel appears in Dantes Inferno, and the Major Arcana Tarot card Wheel of Fortune was named after it (circa 1440, Italy). As soon as the shroud of trust is dropped from Bills eyes, he sees a world in a completely different light. Who was the masked man? So I apologize if this has been already discussed and pointed out. The ending of the movie Eyes Wide Shut shows us that Bill and Alice know too much about each other and the adultery they are capable of committing, yet they would prefer to live blissfully, ignoring it all. The Shekinah and the desire to unity. EYES WIDE SHUT: HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT An In-Depth Analysis of Stanley Kubrick's Misunderstood Masterpiece Nicole Kidman as Alice Harford in Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut (1999) PROLOGUE: AUTHOR'S NOTES Eyes Wide Shut, more than any other movie, gave rise to my interest in cinema as a compelling storytelling medium. *The Region 3 release (Hong Kong) is uncut, but does NOT contain the passages from the Bhagavad Gita recited during the orgy scene. How did Mandy know it was Bill under the mask? When Bill senses that he is being watched and looks up, the masked man nods at him as if greeting him and Bill nods in return. Nicole Kidman, 55 Alice Harford. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. Had one of the masked girls (a prostitute whose life he saved in one of the opening scenes) not intervened, who knows what the consequences would have been? The whole movie holds very strong Message for whole both ancient and . Furthermore, a Rota Fortunae of women appears in the Masked Ball ritual, and the master of ceremonies spins a ceremonial wheel, so to speak, dispatching ladies of the night at random. Second, his behavior was probably suspicious from a mile away. Therefore at the conclusion of the film, anima and animus, simulacrum and faade, simulation and reality are compartmentalized. The clue is in the cast list; Mandy is played by Julienne Davis whereas the woman at the masked ball who 'redeems' Bill is played by Abigail Good. What does the mask on the pillow at the end of Eyes Wide Shutmean? I thought I had a very good understanding of the symbolism and what the overall plot meant. Because of the film's controversy, original NC-17 versions of the film have been released in the United States. The orgy is described in his wifes dream. Kubrick's autumnal work, a tale of jealousy and sexual obsession, Eyes Wide Shut follows the erotically charged misadventures of Dr. Bill Harford (fun fact! The movie is an updated version of the book which is set in 1920s Vienna, Austria and deals with sexual obsession. To be able to, . The big question is how did the mask get there, and who left it? , to begin with. Who put the mask on Bill's pillow in bed next to his wife? Could they have been as tragical as Bills potential elopement with Domino? Well never know, seeing as howthe road not taken forever remains a mystery. Scioccato dalle rivelazioni di Alice, William esce ed inizia una peregrinazione per la citt che lo porter a scoprire nuovi mondi, persone insolite e soprattutto qualcosa di s . Like much of the director's work like The Shining, movie fans love to debate the symbolism and meaning of Eyes Wide Shut. Where To Watch? Cruise go free. Eyes Wide Shut Fans Also Viewed The Matrix. Before his wife revealed her mental infidelity, Bill was 100% sure of the sanctity of their marriage and trusted his wife completely. But as the films theme suggests, Bill decides to believe in what makes him comfortable and happy and not hunt out the truth. The wife set everything up? If a tree falls in the forest and theres no one to hear it, did it fall? . Eyes Wide Shut is a calling card for secret societies, referring to 'my eyes are shut to your misdeeds, brother.' This anonymity is required of participants in their ritual orgies, rape, gay sex, and pedophilia, in order to cloak society's moneyed elite from public shame.