The Most Important (and Interesting) Scene in EWS
Upon re-watching EWS (again), I realized just how important the party scene with Alice & the Hungarian is. The scene lays the foundation for the entire movie.
In the scene, Alice is clearly intrigued by the Hungarian’s advances. She is flattered and amused. She is also very intrigued, UP TO A LINE.
That is the entire point of the movie. Kubrick was commenting on desire, comfort, commitment, and secrets within marriage. That party scene represents what every married person has actually experienced but never admits - secret desires. More importantly, the scene represents what every married person is most scared of emotionally - their spouses having secret desires.
The party scene sets the stage for Tom Cruise’s crisis of confidence and his own exploration. Without the scene, Alice’s confession to ‘lil Tommy about her hidden desires would be no more than drug-induced blathering. But we know Alice really feels it, because we actually see it.
I would also suggest the party scene with Alice and the Hungarian is the sexiest scene in the whole movie. Those looks that Nicole Kidman gives the Hungarian are absolutely entrancing. The looks go well beyond flirty. Alice is practically making love to the Hungarian with her eyes. Anyone who has gotten similar looks in real life would agree that they are unforgettable. Nicole Kidman is such a great actress to get it on-screen!!!