Review of The Shining (1980) by Brittany F — 01 Nov 2013

Do you ever see a film and you wonder to yourself why you didn't watch it ages ago? Last year The Shining was one of those movies for me. It's just one of those movies that just absolutely blows me away from start to finish in every possible way.

Let me start off with the directing. Stanley Kubrick is a genius, let me just say that up front. From the opening shots of the movie he is able to create an atmosphere that there is something not quite right with the Overlook Hotel.

However it's not in the typical Hollywood way that essentially has to spell it out for you, he uses really subtle techniques to get under your skin and immerse you in the weirdness that is this hotel.

One aspect that is often mentioned when talking about this movie is the use of long stedi-cam shots while Danny is riding his three-wheel. During many of these the music isn't present so all you hear are the sounds of Danny riding against the carpets and floorings, and it is super effective.

It gives you this sense of unease that something horrific could present itself at every turn. The color scheme is another way Kubrick puts a sense of unease in the audience. I would say that most of the movie is done in shades of primary colors, which seems very unnatural and eerie.

I could sit here and talk all day about Kubrick's mastery behind the camera, but I think I'll move on to the acting. Jack Nicholson gives maybe the best performance of the year, though I would say it's a toss-up between this and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

This is one of the rare movies in which I don't see Jack Nicholson playing a character I just see Jack Torrance. He so completely inhabits this character that I legitimately can't see anyone else playing him.

Nicholson is able to expertly convey the unraveling of a man's psyche and it impresses me every time I see it. Shelley Duvall is not to be undersold either. Her transition between timid housewife and woman hell-bent on survival is great.

However she very much stays vulnerable throughout the whole ordeal, which is realistic and appreciated. Finally let me discuss Danny Lloyd who plays the conduit through which the film is told, Danny. Usually I really hate child actors, they are awful 85% of the time, but this kid is great.

He is able to pull off some really creepy scenes and his terror in many of the situations feels genuine. If I haven't made it clear this movie is also really freaking scary. It doesn't use cheap jump scares though.

It's able to get under your skin by using creepy imagery that will stick with you way after you've stopped watching. I really don't know what else to say about this movie because quite frankly it is a masterpiece.

Any fan of film should definitely see it if you haven't already.