As Nicole Kidman looks back on 25 years since the release of Eyes Wide Shut, she fondly remembers the extensive rehearsals she had with writer/director Stanley Kubrick and her then-husband Tom Cruise. The Academy Award winner revealed that before even stepping foot on the sets at Pinewood Studios, they spent weeks rehearsing a particularly intimate scene where the couple have a heart-to-heart conversation while sharing a joint in their bedroom. Kidman reminisced about the rehearsal process, describing it as “just a lot of talking” and a period where they got comfortable with each other and were free to throw out ideas. According to Kidman, they even improvised the beginning of the scene through these rehearsals.
During her marriage to Tom Cruise from 1990 to 2001, Kidman worked on Eyes Wide Shut with Kubrick from 1996 to 1998. Reflecting on the experience, Kidman speculates that the director drew inspiration from their real-life marriage while working on the movie. She mentioned that Kubrick was interested in certain ideas and frequently asked questions during their rehearsals. Kidman recalled Kubrick’s advice on handling the complexities of relationships, particularly highlighting his caution about the challenges of portraying a love triangle on screen. The actress emphasized that despite the dynamics at play, she never felt ganged up on during the filming process.
Kidman also acknowledged the different working relationships Kubrick had with her and Cruise. She stated that Kubrick and Cruise worked more closely together on developing Cruise’s character in the movie. Kidman noted that Kubrick had a fondness for women and approached her character differently, perhaps drawing on that relationship for the scenes they shared on screen. The actress highlighted the intricate dynamics involved in portraying complex relationships on screen, emphasizing the significance of balance and careful navigation in such scenarios.
In a previous interview in 2017, Kidman expressed her gratitude for the relaxed and patient approach she had during the filming of Eyes Wide Shut. She credited her ability to maintain a “slightly zen approach to things” to the fact that she was married with her children present on set. Unlike feeling rushed or pressured to finish quickly, Kidman was content to be in the moment, working alongside Kubrick on the project. She described a sense of calm and detachment from external pressures, simply being present and committed to the filmmaking process.
Overall, Nicole Kidman’s reflections on her experience working on Eyes Wide Shut offer a glimpse into the intricate dynamics of the rehearsal process, the influence of real-life relationships on on-screen performances, and the importance of finding a balance in portraying complex relationships on screen.