Director: Stanley Kubrick
Release Date: 1980
Genre: Horror
Running Time: 1hr 54 minutes
Rating: 18
Format: DVD
Synopsis:
A family heads to an isolated hotel for the Winter where an evil spiritual presence influences the father into violence, while his psychic son sees horrific forebodings from the past and of the future.
Based on the novel of the same name by best-selling author Stephen King. Director Stanley Kubrick delivers one of the most terrifying horror films ever made. In 1974, author Stephen King and his wife Tabitha spent the night in The Stanley Hotel, they were the only guests as the hotel was closing for the season. One night after a terrifying dream that left him dripping with sweat, he woke up, lit a cigarette and began writing "The Shining" a story that would soon go onto be loved by millions around the world. Cabin Fever is a very real condition, a form of claustrophobia, it is thought it affects those most who are stuck inside solitary confinement or are isolated from people from long periods of time.
Recovering alcoholic and writer Jack Torrance is hired to look after The Overlook Hotel during the Winter months. Upon his arrival, he is given some very unexpected news about the previous owner Charles Grady. Back in 1970, he suffered a mental breakdown and murdered his whole family with an axe. After killing his family, he stacked up the bodies and put two barrels of a pistol in his mouth. Intrigued by the history of the hotel, Jack and his family agree to the job. Jack's son Danny, however has different ideas about the hotel, will he be able to warn his father just in time? Jack Nicholson delivers his most terrifying performance to date!
The story is very similar to that of "The Amityville Horror", in Amityville, George Lutz is possessed by a demonic spirit that tells him to kill his family. In "The Shining" Jack Torrance is haunted by the demonic and evil spirits at the hotel that tell him to murder his family. Is he really possessed? Or is it a very severe case of cabin fever? Jack Nicholson delivers one of the most amazing performances of his career. His character is absolutely terrifying. The emotion that Nicholson is able to portray on screen, just through his facial expressions is absolutely incredible. Nicholson has a frightening charm about him that makes his character very likable, despite the terror that is going on inside of him.
Child actor (although not so little anymore) Danny Lloyd delivers a remarkable performance as young Danny Torrance. Lloyd's performance is haunting, Danny has a little boy called Tony who lives in his mouth, he uses his finger to communicate with him. Children have a fantastic way of expressing themselves and coping with things in their own way. Is it thought that the only way Danny can deal with his psychic ability is to imagine that a little boy called Tony lives inside of him? Or, is it a way of dealing with a once abusive father? Is Tony a make believe friend? Are the images that Danny see's throughout the film his way of dealing with an alcoholic father, abuse, are they to be interpreted at something else?
Kubrick's masterpiece is one of very few films out there where continuous shots are consistently used throughout the course of the film. One of the many incredible shots in the film include a shot of Danny where he is riding about the hotel on a trike, one continuous shot, at the end of the shot he see's this terrifying image. Kubrick, very much like author Stephen King, intended the story to be thought provoking. It's not supposed to make sense, the images that you see on screen will mean something different to everyone. It depends on your interpretation. The fear doesn't necessarily come from what you see on screen, but more from what you don't see. It will mess with your mind from a psychological standpoint. One of the most spectacular looking horror movies you will ever see.
5/5 stars
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