When his wife admits to having fantasies about another man, Dr Bill Harford becomes obsessively jealous and finds himself on a psychosexual odyssey through an erotic underworld in Stanley Kubrick’s final film, Eyes Wide Shut (1999). Kubrick cast married couple Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman and recreated New York City on a Pinewood studios backlot in the longest shoot in film history. Eyes Wide Shut confounded many on its initial release, but over time has proven to be worthy of as much study and acclaim as any of Kubrick’s masterpieces. 

Jonathan Lethem, author of Motherless Brooklyn and Fortress of Solitude, joins to discuss the film. Jonathan’s latest book, Cellophane Bricks: A Life in Visual Culture, is available now from Ze Books. 

Host: Jack McInroy 

Guest: Jonathan Lethem

Theme music: Harlow Family Group 

Films featured on upcoming episodes of Made in England: https://letterboxd.com/saintjackmc/list/made-in-england-upcoming-episodes/ 

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