15 Most Dehumanizing Moments In Stanley Kubrick's Films
6. It Neednt Be A Costume Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
As noted already, Eyes Wide Shut doesn't scream dehumanization on first viewing. But even with a 12-year gap between Full Metal Jack and his final film, Kubrick never lost grip of his most cultivated theme. Bill's breakdown and unmasking was entered in at number 12, but the moment he first realizes his mask is missing in the costume store is one of the most perverted twists in a Kubrick film, ever. After gatecrashing the private sex party, Bill goes back to the "Rainbow" store to return his costume and finds the store owner, Mr. Milich, in a slightly different mood than when he last left him. Earlier, Mr. Milich found two Asian men with his young daughter and ran them out of his store in furious fashion, condemning them for their lack of decency. This time however, not only has Milich come to an understanding with the two Asian men, but he urges Bill to come back for anything, hugging his young daughter and saying "it needn't be a costume". The implication makes Lolita look like a slapstick comedy and is a scathing remark on a degenerative society.
Nik's passions reside in writing, discussing and watching movies of all sorts. He also loves dogs, tennis, comics and stuff. He lives irresponsibly in Montreal and tweets random movie things @NikGrape.
