Tom Cruise, a master of the cinematic craft, has collaborated with some of the most iconic directors in film history. Among them, Stanley Kubrick stands out, having directed Cruise and then-wife Nicole Kidman in his artistic swan song, the mesmerizing Eyes Wide Shut, released in 1999. Even through the turbulence of their divorce, Cruise speaks fondly of Kidman, alongside other industry giants.
In a recent conversation with Sight and Sound (reported by Deadline) for their May issue, Cruise reminisced about the day he first met the legendary Kubrick. He fondly recalled how he advocated for Kidman to take on the role of his on-screen wife in the film, amidst a swirl of Hollywood names that included Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger. In Cruise’s words, “I flew out to his house and I landed in his backyard. I read the script the day before and we spent the day talking about it. I knew all of his films. I spoke to [The Color of Money director Martin] Scorsese about him and [The Firm director/Eyes Wide Shut co-star] Sydney Pollack… so I knew what he did and how he worked. Then it was basically he and I getting to know each other. And when we were doing that, I suggested Nicole play the role [of Alice]. Because obviously she’s a great actress.”
Indeed, filming Eyes Wide Shut was a transformative experience for both Tom and Nicole. The setting was different from their previous projects like Days of Thunder and Far and Away. Reflecting on that time, he said, “We arrived in the summer and basically we just started testing… the script was just an idea. We [were] constantly rewriting the scenes and shooting the scenes and then reshooting the scenes to really find the tone of the film.” For fans curious about the legendary filmmaker’s meticulous process, yes, Kubrick completed the film before his passing—a testament to his enduring artistry.
Another cinematic titan with ties to Kubrick is Jack Nicholson, who shared the screen with Cruise in A Few Good Men. Observing Nicholson at work, Cruise noted the Oscar-winning actor’s unique approach: “He was finding his character. And you could see every movement slowed. He became more and more centred as we were going through it. You could tell from the way he’s sitting. He’s actually holding his hat quite tautly to generate power. He understands that lens. He’s a wordsmith, Nicholson. He’s like a crooner that knows how to carve up a monologue and knows how to carve up a scene. He can turn a phrase in such a unique way. And it’s not by chance. He knows what he’s doing. He has command over his body and his voice and he knows the camera.” Cruise acknowledged how similar methods were employed by Marlon Brando, another close friend of Nicholson’s—no wonder they chose to live just down the street from each other!
Whether he’s precariously clinging to airplanes in Mission: Impossible or exploring the deep psychological nuances of sexuality with Kidman, Tom Cruise approaches his art with a fervor and passion that’s hard to match. He explained, “When I’m acting, that’s my home. Acting is every moment new. Every take new. Even though you’ve got all these notes and you want to hit these certain beats. But it’s in a new unit of time and you have to let it fly…” Fans, prepare to be captivated as Cruise continues to push the boundaries of storytelling and performance.
