Key Takeaways:
– Harvey Keitel walked out on Stanley Kubrick’s movie ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ due to the director’s unrelenting perfectionism.
– Sydney Pollack replaced Harvey Keitel in the film.
– Rumors circulate that ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ played a role in Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman’s divorce, despite Kidman denying these claims.
The Intricate World of Acting and Directing
In the realm of movie making, a harmonious collaboration between actors and the director is paramount. This symbiosis brings the script to life, shaping narratives into memorable gems of cinema. Conversely, a lack of such harmony can turn the set into a battleground. Hollywood veteran Harvey Keitel experienced this first-hand on the set of Stanley Kubrick’s ‘Eyes Wide Shut’.
The Pulp Fiction star, Harvey Keitel, once decided to join the ensemble of Stanley Kubrick’s ‘Eyes Wide Shut’. Known for his meticulousness and perfectionism, Kubrick was an arduous director to work with, eventually leading Keitel to vacate the project. The role of Victor Ziegler, intended for Keitel, later went to Sydney Pollack.
The Breaking Point for Keitel
In a conversation with SiriusXM, actor Gary Oldman narrated Keitel’s tumultuous journey with Kubrick. Discussing his own experiences with director Luc Besson on ‘Leon: The Professional’, Oldman likened Besson’s verbose explanations to the taxing ordeal Keitel endured.
The last straw for Keitel arrived during a simple scene which required him to walk through a door. After a staggering 68 takes, an exasperated Keitel bid adieu to the set, expressing his disapproval of Kubrick’s relentless pursuit of perfection.
Despite the departure of Keitel, ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ proceeded, with Pollack joining the cast. Despite its commercial success, the film’s production was difficult for lead actors, Tom Cruise and Kidman. The movie marked Kubrick’s last directorial venture, as he passed away before its official release.
Eyes Wide Shut’ and Cruise-Kidman Divorce
Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, once an iconic, picture-perfect Hollywood couple, met their end not long after working on this movie. Rumors floated around that Kubrick’s extreme directing style, which involved detailed method acting and intense filming conditions, took a toll on their relationship.
In the movie, the couple pushed the boundaries of intimacy playing a doctor and his wife, seeking out various erotic encounters. Kidman, speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, however, refutes claims that the movie played a role in their split. She emphasized that they were very close while working with Kubrick, and lauded his innovative vision in storytelling.
In conclusion, ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ forever stands as a testament to the trials actors go through for their craft, and the grueling demands of perfectionist directors. Whether it was a factor in a high-profile Hollywood split, or responsible for an actor’s on-set exit, it undeniably left a lasting impact on everyone involved. The movie can now be rented on Apple TV.
