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Title: Eyes Wide Shut by Arthur Schnitzler ISBN: 2-266-09701-6 Publisher: Pocket (FR) Pub. Date: July, 1999 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.76 (21 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Wonderful book; bland screenplay.
Comment: Anyone confounded by Kubrick's unsuccessful, if interesting, final film should take a look at the book on which it was based. It's one of the greatest books from this century that I've read. It is unfortunate that Kubrick could not transform it into a better movie, as maybe he could have at the height of his powers. The screenplay (or shooting script, anyway) is also included here, and after reading them both, it's easy to see why he failed. Kubrick's movie is basically a transcript of the exterior action that takes place in a book that deals mostly with the internal. Kubrick tries to illuminate the internal struggle with music, set design and mindscreen shots, and while all this adds to the unsettling atmosphere of the film, the core of the book, and the meaning of the events are lost. This is not helped by a sloppy job of updating the novel to 1990s New York. Most of Kubrick's movies (if not all) were based on novels (some great, some not so great), and one of his greatest talents was always to single out what he found to be the core of the novel, and the ability to shape it into his own vision (and in the process, infuriating some of the original writers). But in this case, Kubrick has updated the novel only superfically, and ultimately, he missed the point of the book. It's a shame, because it should have made a marvellous movie, and I feel it could have been one of his greatest achievements. Despite all this, Schnitzler's book stands on its own, and if nothing else, perhaps the movie will lead to something of a rediscovery of this masterpiece.
Rating: 5
Summary: Definitely a page turner
Comment: This is an incredible book. To read the original story, "Traumnovelle," is an enthralling experience. To think that it was written in 1926 adds to its mystique. The screenplay was worth looking at, though at times I felt it was more of a transcription than a screenplay. The narrative follows the final movie cut's directing instructions too closely, though there are some very minor deviations. I'd rather read the original script rather than a shooting script. The short story differs from the movie greatly. It a captivating read, and I can see why Stanley Kubrick spent most of his life wanting to see it on the screen. I think reading the short story gave me an appreciation of what Mr. Kubrick added to it to make it a remarkable film. The structure from the original story is vastly improved in that there is a confrontation of what the main character witnessed. In the short story, it is left up in the air as to the true nature of what he saw, with the strongest suggestion being that it was harmless debauchery of aristocrats. One aspect of the short story that was not explored (and thankfully so) in the movie was the main character's obsessive longings after extremely young women (including the young daughter of the rental costume owner). You'll have to see "American Beauty" for those scenes.
Rating: 3
Summary: Soomewhat interesting read for those who liked the movie
Comment: I found it particularly interesting that Kubrick's very adult final movie was based on a short story written back in 1926. Kubrick fans know his movies are full of interesting camera angles and great characters, but underlying all his movies are a combination of temptation and agony. He was a master of titillating the senses and arousing curiousity but not quite giving you what you wanted to see. I was a little surprised, then, when his final movie seemed to leave little to the imagination.
I was surprised by the other reviews on this site that claimed the original story was overly risque. While the story was similar in concept, I found it rather tame compared to the movie. One reviewer said the main character had an infatuation with underage minors. Were we reading the same story here?
I enjoyed the movie but critics complain the movie was too focused on overt sexuality and shock value. Perhaps that's true. It's unlike his previous works which left more to interpretation of the viewer. I do agree that Kubrick attempted to solve the mysteries that were left unanswered in the story. I believe the movie would've received higher acclaim if he remained focused on the tension regarding the affairs of the heart.
One final note, as another reviewer noted, the screenplay differs from the final work. As he/she correctly pointed out, many of Kubrick's works were written "on the fly" as additional ideas and modifications to the original script were incorporated during production.
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Title: Dream Story (Green Integer, 96) by Arthur Schnitzler, Otto P. Schinnerer ISBN: 1931243484 Publisher: Green Integer Pub. Date: 01 October, 2003 List Price(USD): $11.95 |
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Title: Night Games: And Other Stories and Novellas by Arthur Schnitzler, Margret Schaefer ISBN: 1566635063 Publisher: Ivan R. Dee Publisher Pub. Date: 01 April, 2003 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: Hands Around: A Cycle of Ten Dialogues (Dover Thrift Editions) by Arthur Schnitzler ISBN: 0486287246 Publisher: Dover Publications Pub. Date: 01 October, 1995 List Price(USD): $1.00 |
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Title: Eyes Wide Shut by Michel Chion, Trista Selous ISBN: 085170932X Publisher: British Film Inst Pub. Date: 07 October, 2002 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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Title: Stanley Kubrick: Interviews (Conversations With Filmmakers Series) by Stanley Kubrick, Gene D. Phillips ISBN: 1578062977 Publisher: University Press of Mississippi Pub. Date: 01 January, 2001 List Price(USD): $18.00 |
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