Review of 1408 (2007) by Charley C — 07 Dec 2012

Based on the short story by Stephen King. A skeptical writer Mike Enslin who stays in rooms for stories is given a rude awakening when he gets more than he bargained for when coming across the infamous 1408 room at the Dolphin Hotel.

John Cusack who plays the main protaganist Mike Enslin. Its one of those typical roles he plays. Does it justice though and conveys a demeanour fitting.

Samuel L Jackson who plays Olin does his part well although for being one of the main actors in it he's not given much screen time.

I like movies and books like this. Gives a sense of entrapment.

Suspenseful tense concocted music and electrifying sound add to the shroud of tension and illusion.

Number of scenes I really felt were very clever such as when Mike is waving to a window adjacent from his hotel room only to find himself being mirrored and greeted by an all too familiar face.

It tries very hard, sometimes too much to be clever and trips over itself as it ties itself in knots.

Reminded of Silent Hill: The Room,a very prominent computer game in the Silent Hill series,where it's main guy is trapped in a room.

Always love keyhole shots. Head-turning shocks and twists.

This film reminds me of :

Secret Window.

The Others.

Identity.

To conclude it's a film for me satisfies, shocks and keeps you intrigued but ultimately it's conclusion and 2nd half lacks finesse and lustre's in the process.

Begins to trundle along and gets murky. Maybe some kind of reason or redemption could have sufficed at the climax.

Although to stretch this from a short story may explain a few plot discrepancies.

Very good effort nonetheless.