What is there to say about one of the most influential and controversial horror films of all time that hasn't already been said? Stanley Kubrick's The Shining is a spectacular landmark in horror that has paved the way for a new type of psychological, anxiety-induced storytelling for generations to come. Although this film is based on Stephen King's novel, it is widely known that King despises this film and it is obviously his least favorite of any of his story adaptations. While I have not personally read the book, I am still able to find a lot to love about this film and can appreciate how critical it is to our film history. I also definitely agree that this is more of a Kubrick story than a King story but there is still so much to love about this film that will chill you to your bones and leave you questioning whether or not you would be able to survive with those you love most. Along with some fantastic performances and a mesmerizing score, this film is truly one for the ages. All in all, this movie also makes for an excellent quarantine watch!
Looking for a new job and place to isolate and focus on his writing, Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) takes a job looking after the Overlook Hotel in the snowy mountains of Colorado. He brings along with him his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and son Danny (Danny Lloyd) and together, the three of them get trapped due to a snowstorm while the physical and mental limits of everyone are put to the test. This film has practically set the standard for what a psychological horror film should be and the script, written by Kubrick and Diane Johnson, makes for just that. The Shining takes the very simple premise of cabin fever and elevates it by utilizing its environment and family dynamics to make it so compelling. The background of Jack's abuse towards Danny and alcoholism helps to make this seemingly perfect, little family just the right amount of uncomfortable and placing them all within the snowy confines of a massive resort only heightens that uneasiness. Kubrick's direction is astonishing and he is able to make this typically positive location into a breeding ground for nightmares. Not many of this film's choices with its symbolism are ever fully explained but, regardless, I think Kubrick does a great job of creeping out his audience. My only issue with this film is how unfocused the development of Jack's descent into madness seems to be. While many characters in horror films benefit the most from lack of detailed description, leaving the audience to fill in many of the blanks, I never quite felt that with Jack. He began to go crazy due to the cabin fever and having his writing constantly interrupted by Wendy but it was never explored what made him snap. Perhaps I am just looking into it too deeply, but I wish there could have been some more descriptive explanation into why he decided to want to murder his entire family. Then again, this lack of detail and ambiguity is what makes Kubrick's film so horrifying and it is hard to deny that his direction is incredibly effective.
The performances from the three leads are all spectacular and they make their characters so wildly interesting. Nicholson is undeniably one of the best actors of his time and he embodies this role like nobody else could. Duvall is also so talented and her representation of the caring yet cautious mother is one of the best I have ever seen. Lloyd is great as Danny but what stood out the most to me was their chemistry together as a family. The performances led by Kubrick's direction work in beautiful harmony to tell a story all their own. From their very first shared scene together, the Torrance family gives off such an ingenuine vibe that continues throughout the film, constantly making the audience worried about what might happen. While they could be seen as your typical, happy-go-lucky family based on their attitudes towards each other, the way that changes and devolves into psychological madness is fascinating. All of the technical elements throughout The Shining, just like all of Kubrick's films, are amazingly well-done and breathtakingly beautiful. The cinematography by John Alcott is absolutely wonderful and provides such an expansive look at the Overlook Hotel. His wide, sweeping use of the camera makes this terrifying resort even scarier and he makes the location seem endlessly huge. Ray Lovejoy's editing and use of dissolve transitions were also fantastic and I adore how he portrayed a calm, family life through his breathable cuts, which was obviously contrasted by the eerie events and hallucinations that were actually occurring. All of these elements were brought together beautifully, however, by the legendary and unforgettable score from Wendy Carlos and Rachel Elkind. The music from these two is so classically scary and works so well for the isolated atmosphere of this hotel. Music throughout this film is one of the most chilling parts and even in still shots of characters' faces or simply looking down a hallway, the creepy violins and booming brass make the audience feel incredibly uneasy, as it should.
The Shining is not only one of the most quotable horror films of all time, but one that continues to live up to its terrifying legacy. I was not quite as impacted by this film as much as I was in my childhood but it is obvious to see how this film has inspired new generations of horror storytellers. For better or worse, this movie sets the precedent for how to adapt a Stephen King novel and despite some lasting production issues, this film still remains wildly entertaining.
My Rating: ★★★★
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