Kubricks worst film is better than 80% of the junk committed to film, so what does that say? We expected more of him -- he was getting old and turned AI over to Spielberg who did a reasonably good job except for the maudlin sentimentality at the end. Kubrick would have left one guessing. I think the chemistry between the two leads (you know, them!) was rather sour -- perhaps a predilection of things to come (sic).
You wanted them to seperate after the film ended. A curious change of events and circumstances, indeed. It sure didn't define relationships -- it only complicated them. (Hey, I guess I should know). Patronize me, I'm crying out here!