S Poddar
As “Eyes Wide Shut” marks its 25th anniversary, Nicole Kidman fondly recalls the intense yet liberating 15-month production. Reflecting on her role in Stanley Kubrick’s final film, Kidman shares insights into her experience working alongside her then-husband, Tom Cruise. The film, a psychosexual drama, features the duo as a wealthy New York couple grappling with relationship turmoil—a storyline eerily echoing their real-life separation in 2001.
In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Kidman discussed what personal traits she brought to her character, Alice. “My boldness,” she said. “I’m quite up-front, and Alice becomes quite up-front, especially when she’s stoned. Although, that wasn’t me when I was stoned. I was just naturally like that.”
Kidman praised Kubrick for fostering an environment where her audacity could flourish, despite his reputation for being a meticulous director. “The great thing about him is that he told us, ‘Don’t put me on a pedestal.’ That’s the No. 1 rule,” Kidman recounted. “He wanted us to throw out ideas freely. Everyone had to wait at least 10 seconds before rejecting an idea. I heard that, and I’m in my 20s, and I’m like, ‘OK. It’s on.’ It was like making student films in Australia—very experimental.”
When asked about how Kubrick influenced her performance, Kidman admitted it was challenging to pinpoint specifics, but emphasized his relentless pursuit of the perfect take. She felt his confidence in her and trusted her own instincts and mischievous personality. “I suppose that was why he cast me. That mischief, that provocative nature, he found that out and it became a part of Alice.”
Kidman also revealed a memorable moment during the filming that highlighted her spontaneous nature. “The scene where I drop the dress … that was me. That wasn’t written. That was my dress from my closet. ‘This is how I take off the dress, Stanley.’ Because I had a lot of clothes, we weren’t paying to buy clothes. And Stanley had come over and I was showing him all these beautiful dresses. That’s how that happened.”
Kidman’s reflections on “Eyes Wide Shut” offer a glimpse into the unique creative process behind the film and the dynamic relationship between an iconic director and a daring actress.
