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This one is really a brain teaser. Since I know Mr. Kubrick only made movies with a lot of depth to it, thus I know there must be a lot more to what was appeared to the surface. By my 3rd viewing, things start to click.

Hint 1:The title"Wide eyes shut" means we have been blind by our ego and we are not seeing the Big G at work. Hint 2: Tom Cruise always got saved from death at the last moment.

I still don't get the mask on the pillow scene that triggered Tom Cruses's enlightenment. If anyone know, please post the answer.

Like I said, this one is a great brain stimulator. If you like this type of movies, check out the last two movies by Kurosawa.

I am a big fan of Mr.Kurosawa because his movie is really a brain teaser. I had only watched this movie one time and had to admit that I have not totally understand this movie yet. Since it took me more than ten years to enjoy his previous movie, Rhapsody in August(if interested, please read my review on this one); I am prepare to watch this movie again and again because I think that is what Mr. Kurosawa want. From the surface, I could tell that part of the movie was for him to thank his audiences for their support this year. They supported him even they don't understand him(student who could sleep with his eye open,)with his not so funny jokes, and his not so good movies due to lack of budget(horse and deer meat stow.). There are many scenes in the story that Kurosawa expresses his views and lessons of life (like the one he told to the kids who served the birthday cakes.). I am prepare to take my time to explore this movie in detail. As he metaphored at the end, perhaps life is a game of hide and seek which a boy always looking for a better spot to hide, neverless, he will be and want to be find. The question that I have was what is it one is trying to hide from in Mr. Kurosawa's point of view? Is it God or one's true self?

I got really bore at first time when I saw this movie in theatre in 1992. Since I know Kurosawa is a perfectionist and usually try to say something important in his movie, I am sure there are some hidden message in his story other than the obvious. After twenty years, I decided to rent the out the DVD to examine the movie in detail. I was not disappointed and the true theme revealed to me immediately and I love it even the 3rd and 4th time. It was not just about the H-bomb incidence. It was a way for Kurosawa to tell the how young Japanese generation abandoned their own tradition culture and it is the American, once the enemy of Japan, are reviving it for the country. His second major theme was about old people who seen to be weak, senile and out of time, but when circumstance arise, they could still release plenty of energy to protect their youngs like how he still could such powerful movie like Rhphsody in August. I believe Kurosawa did this movie strictly for his fans to enjoy because unless you understand his thought, this movie is extremely boring at the surface, look as if it is produced by an old man out of touch with his time.