"The Shining"*** 1\2 (out of ****)
Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining" (1980) more so than any other film I can instantly recall, takes us deep into a world of madness. The film and Jack Nicholson's performance rival that of "Taxi Driver" (1976) and Robert De Niro portrayal of Travis Bickle.
As I continue reviewing horror films for the month of October I knew eventually I'd have to face this film again. But discussing "The Shining" also allows me the opportunity to finally write about Stanley Kubrick, one of the all time great masters whom I've shamefully neglected. Ever since reaching the 300 reviews mark, it was one of my ambitions to review a film by Kubrick. And while I don't think this is his best movie, I suppose it is just as good as any other movie to start the discussion of his career.
"The Shining" is generally regarded as one of the all time great horror films. Initially, it was considered a disappointment. The film was based on a novel, of the same title, by Stephen King, whom reportedly did not like the film either. Claiming Kubrick had strayed from his vision too much. But King devotees also expressed dislike for the film claiming the same reason. The book is much different than the film.
I never liked that line of criticism. Book lovers will always use that as a line of defense to explain why any particular film is never as good as the book it was adapted on. What they fail to realize or understand is books and movies are two different mediums. What works in a book may not be "filmable". And the opposite is true. Books and movies exist in the whole private worlds. I don't care if a movie is based on a book, never compare the two. It is not important if a film is faithful to a book what is important is if the film is worth watching. The two concepts don't necessarily correspond.
As I watched "The Shining" again, making this my third time, I begin to realize, the more I watch this movie, the less I understand it. As I watch it over and over again I begin to ask questions and try to explain to myself how certain events can be possible. As I do that, I notice the film doesn't have any answers. This alone can divide an audience. You will look at this movie and say to yourself, it is a clever brain twister or a "gimmick" movie with one plot twist too many.
The first time I saw this film I was truly terrified. I was about 12 years old and a group of my friends got together to see what all the fuss was about. The next time I saw it I was about 20. At this point I began to pay attention to the cinematography, the music and sound design. From that perspective I thought the film was a masterpiece. An elegant example of an exercise in the horror genre. Kubrick creates the proper mood and atmosphere. The film is able to grip us and bring us into its world. That is what makes the film so effective. Just like the main character, who slowly slips into madness, the audience slowly starts to slip deeper and deeper into the story. We take every step with these characters. We are just as afraid as they are to see what is lurking around the corner.
I pretty much felt the same way again this time around but began to wonder, who is telling this story? The main character is Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), a former school teacher and wants to take some time off to write a novel. He is offered a job as a caretaker at the Overlook Hotel, which shuts down during the winter and reopens in May. He and his wife, Wendy (Shelly Duvall) and their son, Danny (Danny Lloyd) will accompany him. But soon demons and spirits which occupy the hotel begin to take control of Jack's mind. Apparently a previous caretaker went insane from the isolation and killed his two daughters and wife.
As Jack beings to go mad can the viewer really consider his viewpoint reliable? And how the heck does he get inside that picture by the film's end? There is Wendy, but for huge chunks of the plot she is not around. So how can she know what exactly is going on? That leaves Danny, who is telepathic. He keeps seeing images of blood coming through an elevator door and the sight of two twin girls standing at the end of a hallway. Is that the two girls who were murdered? What do they want from Danny? Maybe Danny is crazy too. Has the house taken control of him? No, I don't think Danny can answer our questions either. The best way to explain "The Shining" is to change the subject. There will never be a satisfactory answer. But that doesn't hurt the movie. In fact, that is what makes it so eerie. Nothing makes sense. We cannot apply logic to the situation.
One of the problems King had, was with Kubrick's desire to cast Nicholson. Now, while I think Nicholson of one of the greatest actors of all time, I actually think King may have been on to something. Jack looks crazy before he actually goes crazy. He always has that famous sinister grin on his face. When we first see him he is being interviewed for the position. He says all the right things and doesn't allow anything to upset him. When he hears about the previous caretaker killing his family, Jack doesn't blink a eye. He merely assure the man, that will not happen this time. He even goes as far as to say his wife will love to hear that story. Really? She'll love to hear to it. You starting to lose it already Jack? Jack looks like a maniac that the shift in character makes it hard for us to determine when exactly did it occur. Was it as soon as he walked in there?But once Jack goes mad and becomes the Jack we all know and love he puts on one Hell of a show ("Heeeeere's Johnny!")
Shelly Duvall on the other hand is a woman caught in a world where she doesn't quite know how to react. She is all alone with a husband who has lost his mind and a son who takes to an imaginary friend, Tony, which may have possessed his body, and is preoccupied with "red rum" (murder backwards).
"The Shining" is filled with a lot of those famous Kurbrick stories. Kubrick was well known as a perfectionist. His films repeatedly went over budget and over the shooting schedule. "The Shining" hold the Guiness Book of Records for the most takes of a single shoot; 148. It is a scene where the cook for the Overlook Hotel, Dick Hallorann (Scatman Crothers) confesses to Danny that he too has, what he calls, "the shining", the ability to see images and speak with the mind.
Other stories consisted of Kubrick's constant picking on Shelly Duvall. Trying to isolate her. Duvall says now that she understands what Kubrick wanted to do, make her feel vulnerable, but also says she wouldn't want to go through the experience again.
"The Shining" took one year to shoot according to some sources. Originally it was planned as a 14 week shoot, which went overboard. Readers unfamiliar with Kubrick will find these kind of stories repeating themselves over and over. Over a career which spanned 43 years, Kubrick only directed 12 films. His first theatrical feature length film was "Killer's Kiss" (1956) and his final film was "Eyes Wide Shut" (1999), my personal favorite. In between were classics like "Barry Lyndon" (1975), "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968), "Dr. Strangelove" (1964), "Paths of Glory" (1957) and "The Killing" (1956). Each one, in their own way, is a masterpiece. Few anti-war films are as powerful as "Paths of Glory". "The Killing" is in a class with the greatest heist movies ever made. And many believe "2001" re-defined science fiction.
"The Shining" may not be the best place to start your Kubrick collection, but, as far as Halloween goes, this is one of the essential horror films. It will freak you out. Watch it alone or with a group of friends and make sure you have the lights low.
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