Nicole Kidman recently marked the 25th anniversary of the film Eyes Wide Shut by reflecting on her experience working on the movie with her co-star and then-husband, Tom Cruise. She revealed that they spent weeks rehearsing one memorable scene where they had an intimate conversation over a joint in their bedroom. Kidman mentioned that when they first started working with writer/director Stanley Kubrick, they spent six to eight weeks at his home rehearsing before even stepping foot on the sets at Pinewood Studios. This extensive rehearsal period allowed them to get comfortable with each other and freely exchange ideas, even improvising parts of the scene.
During her marriage to Cruise, which lasted from 1990 to 2001, they filmed Kubrick’s final feature film from 1996 to 1998. Kidman believes that the director drew inspiration from their real-life relationship while working on the scene. She mentioned that Kubrick was interested in certain ideas and would often ask a lot of questions. Kidman recalled Kubrick’s words about handling triangles carefully in a scene to avoid anyone feeling ganged up on. She clarified that she never felt that way during the filming, but acknowledged the different dynamics Kubrick had with her and Cruise in their respective roles.
Kidman described Kubrick as having a strong sense of the story he wanted to tell, while also being open to exploring ideas from the actors. She highlighted that Kubrick had a closer working relationship with Cruise on his character, but also had a unique connection with women. Kidman expressed her admiration for Kubrick’s approach and his ability to manage the dynamics on set, ensuring that everyone felt comfortable and respected.
In a previous interview from 2017, Kidman shared her gratitude for having a “slightly zen approach to things” during the lengthy shoot of Eyes Wide Shut. Despite the demanding schedule, she found solace in being with her family on set and not rushing to finish the filming. Kidman emphasized that she was fully present during the production, appreciating the opportunity to work with Kubrick and her co-star Cruise without feeling pressured to move on to the next project.
Nicole Kidman’s reflections on her experience working on Eyes Wide Shut shed light on the intense rehearsals, personal inspirations, and unique dynamics that shaped the film. Her insights into Kubrick’s directorial style and her own mindset during filming provide a deeper understanding of the creative process behind this iconic movie.