'Eyes Wide Shut' - Stanley Kubrick (1999) - Letter Scene

[alexalex]

A very long movie but it had a hypnotic attraction which held you.

[enterthevortex]

They not only anticipated his return but now he knows they know who he is. That's got to be spine chilling.

[antonioalejo]

I love this scene, it says everything without any dialogue.

[mariececileoosterhout]

Even the servant has a Rolls with driver, that's how powerful these people are.

[bndkllr]

It's incredible how powerful this music is, considering it's so simple that you could take anyone, even if they've never even touched a piano before, and teach them to play it in less than a minute.

[elizabethp]

All these years later and that piano still drives me f**king nuts.

[marblesthecat]

Kubrick's films are always appreciated years after they are released.

[tremorsfan]

Notice how the note is typed instead of hand written. Also notice there isn't much time between when Bill arrives and the man hands him the note. This indicates that they were anticipating him coming back.

[OG-Ghost]

The impact of a single piano note is insane and most never even notice it

[canadude]

Over three minutes with no dialogue. That is the craft Kubrick had at film making. He leaves "space" for you to do your own interpretation while he throws some suspenseful story at you.
He does this in many movies.. the intro driving scene in The Shining. and the quiet 2001 A Space Odyssey. I think most humans find comfort in speech and Kubrick takes it away from you pulling you deeper into his story. Then when the dialogue returns on the next scene we're tuned in and eager to listen.
Another note, I also just love how he chose some old stogy near-dead looking man delivering the envelope coldly through the fence with gloves on, and arrives in a Rolls Royce.
Did you notice how the old man looks straight in the camera (at you) to further creep you out? Not to mention the spooky piano themes.

I think it's time to watch this movie again for the 8th or 9th time.

[joejohn.]

The doctor confronted with real wealth.

[M.E.N.E.M.]

The fact they have it all written and printed, ready for him to read, with his name, i even more chilling.

[drumstick]

I love Kubrick's attention to detail. Instead of a handwritten note, Bill gets an envelope with high quality paper and printed letter with an almost arrogant warning;
Very Rothschild'ish.

[chermebrownsauce]

"Look at that subtle colouring. The tasteful thickness..."

[Onmysheet]

The colour blue is a metaphor for secrets, which is shown lots of times throughout the film. Here it's the gates, meaning the gate of secrets.

[gregsmith]

To all the critics who claim his adventures were a "dream sequence" after smoking pot...this totally dispels that.

[darkstar]

Can't he take a hint, he knows he is playing with fire. That is what you call a final warning.

[MaidenUtah]

I’m going to give this exact same letter to the next Jehovah’s Witness who approaches me

[TheCoolProfessor]

This scene deserves it's own movie.

[nullinvoid]

Tom C is a good actor, but he looks genuinely terrified. I wonder if Stanley neglected to tell him or show him who would be bringing the letter in this scene.