In a movie that’s about marital dedication and loyalty, Stanley Kubrick absolutely makes use of a number of masks in his visuals in Eyes Huge Shut. Is he hinting at what we’re all pondering of? That, in the actual world, most relationships, particularly marriages, are constructed on white lies, with two individuals carrying masks 24/7. Now, that essentially doesn’t imply that one doesn’t suggest effectively for the opposite, however is intimacy even doable with out secrets and techniques?
And what occurs when one of many two masks is ripped off? Does one tear it down to come back out clear, or simply placed on a brand new one over it?
These are a number of of the numerous questions, relatively ideas, that race by my thoughts anytime I watch Kubrick’s final movie, Eyes Huge Shut, a psychological drama a few easy couple with advanced needs.
Coming again to masks, the best scene with a masks in Eyes Huge Shut is the one the place Dr. Harford’s spouse, Alice (Nicole Kidman), lies quick asleep on their mattress, together with her husband’s Venetian masks mendacity on his aspect of the mattress, proper subsequent to her. Not going to lie, however the shot leaves me with an eerie feeling.
On this article, we analyze the long-lasting shot of Alice with the masks to uncover how that one picture was really a verdict on their relationship.
To Give You a Little Context
Dr. William Harford (Tom Cruise), AKA Invoice, was a faithful husband and father, who was fortunately married, with a six yr previous daughter, till one night time, when throughout an intimate dialog together with his spouse (that quickly escalated into an argument), his spouse blatantly confesses to him that she had had adulterous ideas about one other man, a naval officer, who was additionally staying on the identical resort they have been vacationing at, the earlier yr. She goes on to explicitly describe how she felt concerning the different man and even confessed how she was able to throw away her marriage and her child, your entire household that they constructed collectively through the years, only for one night time of ardour with him.
Earlier than he can react, he will get a name from considered one of his sufferers and is pressured to go away for a home name. However the dialog sticks with him, like a dagger on his again, together with his thoughts taking part in completely different eventualities of intimacy between his spouse and the opposite man, anytime he was left alone. To take his thoughts off (and to obviously get again at her), he tries to go on a intercourse spree, solely to fail miserably. Not as a result of he couldn’t choose up a lady, however as a result of he acquired interrupted every time. Though he doesn’t have intercourse with any of the 2 ladies he meets, he does kiss them. So that’s dishonest, proper? You let me know.
In the meantime, the night time progresses solely to get wilder. As he tries to discover intercourse additional, destiny takes him to a mysterious, eerie, and blasphemous place, the place he finds a whole crowd of individuals concerned in unusual sexual practices that nearly seem to be cult rituals. The boys are carrying formals with their faces fully hidden behind Venetian masks, whereas ladies are roaming round carrying nothing however comparable Venetian masks. After what appeared like a prayer gathering, as Invoice explores the mansion, he’s shocked to see how these individuals have turned intercourse right into a neighborhood affair. Persons are having intercourse with anybody, anyplace, whereas others go about their enterprise, or simply stand, watching.
Earlier than he can course of a lot, he’s approached by an unknown lady in a masks, who pleads with him to go away earlier than he’s caught.
Invoice is caught quickly after and is offered earlier than the cult chief, who’s about to wreak havoc on him, when the masked lady who had warned him earlier saves him simply in time, sacrificing herself for his freedom and security.
Invoice is pressured to go away, with a warning to by no means communicate of this place to anybody ever, however he by no means learns what occurs to the girl. On the identical time, the buddy who had instructed him of this place goes lacking. That night time, he hugs his spouse to sleep, traumatized by his expertise, desperately attempting to masks his paranoia, ashamed of being part of such dust.
The breaking level for Invoice comes when he realizes that the girl who had set him free that night time is now lifeless.
The Scene
Invoice’s long-time aged affected person tells him every thing concerning the place, confessing that he is part of the intercourse cult, too. He assures Invoice that the unusual lady from the sex-gathering was not lifeless as a result of the cult killed her, however as a result of she was a junkie who met her eventual demise.
Undecided whether or not to consider every thing that he stated, he returns dwelling with a promise to himself to by no means flip in that course ever once more, solely to search out the Venetian masks from that cursed night time mendacity on his pillow, subsequent to his spouse, who’s drowsing.
What Does The Masks On The Pillow Imply?
Right here’s what I believe it means:
1. Alice Is aware of What Occurred That Night time
Okay, I agree, that is an apparent interpretation, so shifting on to the subsequent.
2. Was Alice There That Night time?
Okay, sounds completely insane, however hear me out. Maybe she was not there that night time, as a result of we see her name Invoice from dwelling when she interrupts his intercourse with the escort. However she may know of the cult? Possibly she is a component, however didn’t go that night time? Or returned dwelling after she noticed her husband there? I don’t know, a lady like Alice (not exhibiting her down in any method right here as a result of I really like ladies who know what they need) can most actually be there, if she needed to be there. Or else, how does that final scene make sense, when she tells Invoice to place the previous apart to focus on the long run?
It feels like she is aware of about every thing that went on with Invoice that night time, however we didn’t see Invoice telling her something. Additionally, not that he would have instructed every thing he noticed, as is. So, contemplating he hasn’t instructed her every thing, what was she speaking about? I’m actually undecided; let me know what you assume?
3. The Masks Signifies Alice Has Forgiven And Accepted Invoice
Turning again from such a reality is tough. Forgiving somebody who wronged you is more durable. However, in contrast to Invoice, who, regardless of preaching loyalty in a relationship, couldn’t show it in motion, I wish to consider Alice upholds her aspect of the cut price (hoping that my earlier level isn’t proper).
Dishonest in your partner is a temptation, identical to the toxic apple provided to Snow White by the Evil Witch. Even a single chunk will set your relationship again by years, however can love heal a distrusting coronary heart to belief once more? Is it doable to fix a relationship that was damaged by a breach of belief?
Alice chooses love over her heartbreak. The truth that she chooses their relationship showcases her deep belief in Invoice, regardless of the setback, though she is absolutely conscious that Invoice may by no means reciprocate in the identical method if she have been in his sneakers. Her sleeping with the masks subsequent to her proves how she has accepted the destiny of their relationship and determined to embrace life as it’s.
The peace on her face might be the reduction of realizing that she is just not an anomaly; relatively, most individuals are like her, solely they’d by no means settle for the reality about themselves, in contrast to her.
Kubrick’s Eyes Huge Shut poses a number of essential questions on marital relationships, so let me ask you a query too. Who do you assume was extra within the flawed? Invoice, who spiralled in grief and jealousy, after which tried to go on a sexual rendezvous after studying about his spouse’s fantasy involving one other man, or his spouse, for having such ideas?
