MovieChat Forums > Eyes Wide Shut (1999) Discussion > Anyone else love the ‘world’ of this fil...

Anyone else love the ‘world’ of this film?


Firstly, the Sonata Club just looks like an awesome place to hang out late at night. Everybody should have a friend like Nick Nightingale, such a calm, normal dude.

I love Dr Bill’s apartment, nice and spacious.

The Ziegler mansion in the middle of the city is amazing, love that massive wall by the stairs covered in lights. Ziegler’s bathroom where he’s been cornholing that whore is lovely.

The streets of New York look awesome. Even though they’re a fake film-set in Pinewood, London. I’d love to wander around them at night, meeting various weirdos.

Sharky’s Diner looks AMAZING. Would love to go there for a midnight coffee and a bowl of chilli, or maybe a pastry.

The Somerton country mansion is really nice. Bit weird with what goes on in there but nice to pop in for a look around before heading back to the fake city.

It’s like a David Lynch film - a dreamy place that gets into your subconscious and you can’t stop thinking about the film until your next viewing.

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It certainly evokes a Twin Peaks (Lynch/Frost) vibe on the surface, that you alluded to, but also a feeling of something different, even sinister, under the surface. Again, like Twin Peaks.

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There’s something ‘cozy’ about a set used to portray outdoor locations, feels like you’re watching a play.

The New York streets in EWS and the neighbourhood in The Burbs spring to mind.

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It’s interesting that you refer to it as a “dreamy” place because the film is based on a book called “Traumnovelle” or “Dream Story.” Kubrick was likely aiming for the viewer to feel as if they’re in a dream while watching this. The lines between worlds are blurred here for sure.

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No doubt. Has the feel of a David Lynch film.

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the Sonata Club was super cool!
loved those table globes

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Yep, not too busy, super chill, always get a table and - as you say - great globes ⚪️

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Absolutely. This movie makes me suicidal, it's so beautiful. The Ziegler mansion especially.

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Why does the film’s beauty make you want to kill yourself?

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Cuz I know I'll never get to live in a place like that in this life.

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I think a Ziegler mansion is beyond most people’s reach, but what about some of the other dreamy locations like the jazz club and late night cafe?

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Yeah... I love that place and chill bars like that, with Jazz playing but all bars these days are like sports bars and clubs and don't have that vibe at all. At least where I live.

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Pro tip - try the bar of a big 5 Star hotel. You’ll find live jazz and fancy cocktails.

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Yes true... have to go to city for that. I'm on an island.

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No big seaside hotels on your island?

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Maybe in Victoria or Nanaimo... I'll have to keep that in mind, maybe drive down there.

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Looks like there's a jazz night at The Queen’s, 1st Feb.

Instead of killing yourself go check it out!

https://www.thequeens.ca/featured-events/2025/2/1/joe-farnsworth-amp-sarah-hanahan

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Ahh thanks for looking that up :)

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So, how was the show?

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Oh yes. I've long said that it's absolutely the creepiest movie ever made; that can be off putting in some contexts, but for this movie it's just delicious and a pleasure to soak in every now and then. I don't really like David Lynch films (may he RIP) because he's weird for the sake of it and just creeps you out in off putting non-sensical ways just for the sake of being subversive. Instead of 'anything for a laugh' he's 'anything for a creep.' Blue Velvet is his best and even that's pretty bizarre.

Whereas with Kubrick (all of his films but this one in particular), you're creeped out and the world is off putting and intimidating, maybe even frightening, but you can never really put your finger on why exactly and I love that. The vibe in Clockwork is so off putting with all the weird British people with their deformed teeth, and for the some reason the artificial fakeness of Full Metal Jacket is really sinister. I feel like this is why Kubrick preferred his cold clinical cinematography combined with getting super cheesy and dry line readings from his actors; he's not out to win them any acting Oscars, he's out to unsettle you on a subliminal level. He wants them to seem like zombies to enhance the nightmarish unreality of the situations he throws them in.

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