Logan Sork Film Reviews
The Shining
Stanley Kubrick is among one of the greatest directors of all time, with films such as 2001: A Space Odyssey and A Clockwork Orange serving as a testament to his ability as a director. Though he delved into a multitude of different genres, he only ever did one horror film when he directed the cinematic adaptation of the Stephen King novel The Shining. Upon initial release, the film received mixed reviews and even Stephen King went out of his way to say he personally hated the adaptation of his work. As the film aged however, people began to realize that it is one of the greatest horror films ever made. This is all thanks to Kubrick’s fantastic direction, amazing performances, haunting visuals and a dive into how far one must be pushed before succumbing to insanity.
The Shining is directed by Stanley Kubrick and stars Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance, a writer and recovering alcoholic who agrees to look after the secluded Overlook hotel during the winter months. He brings his wife Wendy (Shelly Duvall) and his young son Danny (Danny Lloyd), who has the ability to see things differently, what is referred to as “shining”. While looking after the hotel, Jack must battle his own inner demons while the family is attacked by the malevolent forces that haunt the hotel. As the hauntings progress, we watch the calm family spiral out of control as madness ensues, leaving us to wonder if it was supernatural, or just the dark corners of their minds that were opened due to the isolation.
Arguably the greatest elements of the film are the performances and characters. Jack Nicholson gives one of the greatest performances ever put to film as a man who is seemingly always about to go over the edge, but somehow manages to keep himself in control. There’s an eerie element that Nicholson brings to the film, in that we are never really sure we can trust that Jack is completely sane even from the start of the film. Nicholson can be funny, charming, and downright terrifying all within the span of one scene. Shelly Duvall is extremely annoying at first, but that Is her character. What makes her performance stand out is that as Jack descends into madness, she also descends into panic. A character you start off not necessarily liking is made into one where we are rooting for her to make it out, all from Duvall’s performance. Also, to be praised is young Danny Lloyd, who gives one of the greatest child performances ever as a mentally disturbed child who is haunted by visons that are terrifying and beyond his control.
Kubrick’s direction also gives a life to this film that no other director could achieve. His use of tracking shots and long takes make the audience feel as if we the ghosts observing the family go insane as the isolation got to them. He also manages to walk a fine line between what is supernatural and what is simply in the heads of our characters. Half the time we are not sure if what we are seeing is a ghost or simply something brought on by the imaginative isolated minds of our characters. By using this technique, Kubrick is able to give ambiguous feeling throughout the film rather than giving us definitive answers. It is this ambiguity that leaves the doors open for many theories as to what the film really is. Is it a look into the mind of a recovering addict? The pressures that are brought on by the modern family? Or is it just a silly ghost story? All of these can be acceptable proving how effective Kubrick’s ambiguity is.
Another important element is the Overlook hotel itself. Situated on a secluded mountain, the hotel is both a dream destination and a waking nightmare as its long ominous hallways appear as haunting as they do inviting. The set design helps the building and its surroundings become a character in its own right as we see all of the different rooms and corridors throughout the film. The character of the Overlook is only enhanced by the haunting score, whose dark chanting chorus give the hotel a malevolent aura from the grand ball room to its dark hedge maze, the hotel has haunts around every corner, proving how psychologically effective a great set piece can be.
The Shining is not just one of the greatest horror films of all time, it’s one of the greatest films period. With memorable performances, fantastic set design and Kubrick’s ambiguous direction leaving us with open ended answers, The Shining will stick with you long after you escape its madness… that is of course if you can.
10/10