Writer/Director: Stanley Kubrick
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall and Danny Lloyd
‘A Shining Horror Masterpiece’
Before I begin this review, I must admit that I have never been a fan of horror movies. Horror movies have never been my cup of tea. Over the past decade or so, the horror movie genre has faced declines in quality. With cartoonish characters, cheap jump scares and gruesome violence, I often find most horror movies to be a chore to sit through.
That being said, “The Shining” is a shining exception. Few horror films ever made have built a legacy as long-lasting as “The Shining”. Following its release in the 1980’s, Stanley Kubrick’s movie has stood the test of time as a horror masterpiece. Boasting breathtaking production design, stunning storytelling and phenomenal performances, it’s one of those rare horror movies that works on every level. Ultimately, what sets it apart from other films in the genre is its phenomenal depiction of trauma.
Based on Stephen King’s book, “The Shining” tells a story of a family that gets stranded in a hotel amid the winter season. Jack Nicholson embodies Jack Torrance, an alcoholic writer which gets a job as a caretaker at the Overlook Hotel. Excited by the prospect of work, Jack takes his family to stay at the hotel. However, what seems like a welcoming hotel becomes a nightmare when the family experiences terror. Facing consequences of isolation, Jack begins a journey of self-destruction.
The aspect of “The Shining” that shines most brightly is the direction. Stanley Kubrick is an incredible filmmaker that has always excelled at building tension in his films through visuals, and “The Shining” is no exception. Visually, the film is a stunning feast for the eyes. Kubrick expertly uses steadicam shots to capture the isolation endured by a family trapped within a hotel. The steadicam shots create a palpable sense of tension giving the film a frightening atmosphere. For instance, the steadicam shot elevates the scene where Danny rides his bike around the hallways of the hotel. The scene is incredibly intense, giving viewers the sensation of being trapped in the hotel.
Another extraordinary aspect of “The Shining” is the production-design. Kubrick expertly uses the confined setting of a hotel to build tension. The Overlook Hotel is an iconic setting which plays a crucial role in the movie. Whether it’s the ominous hallways where Danny rides his bike or the haunted bar where Jack becomes drunk, the design of the hotel is integral to the film’s success. Through shining production-design, Kunrick captures a family that faces a hotel that’s terrifying.
Storytelling is another shining aspect of “The Shining” worth discussing. The film is extremely well-written. Kubrick’s screenwriting strength is using foreshadowing to capture the dangers awaiting a family that’s trapped in a hotel. Throughout the movie, the child Danny is blessed with psychic abilities to foresee future catastrophes. Danny keeps seeing scary visions of future disasters that are going to happen. Foreshadowing is tricky to use in horror films. When viewers can guess what’s going to happen, it has the potential to detract from movies. That being said, it works extremely well. Through a sensational script, Kubrick captures the struggles experienced by a family facing isolation which is painful.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Jack Nicholson gives one of his best career performances as Jack Torrance. Nicholson achieved fame by playing heroes in movies. With “The Shining”, however, he took on his first villainous role. It isn’t simple to embody the personality of an alcoholic writer driving to the brink of insanity, but Nicholson succeeds. With riveting expressions, Nicholson captures the angst, frustration and resentments of an alcoholic writer losing control of sanity. One of the greatest performances ever given by an actor in a horror movie. Nicholson’s performance is one of the main highlights of the movie, and the key reason it works so well.
Danny Lloyd is dazzling in the role of a gifted child with the ability to foresee future tragedy. In his first ever leading role, Lloyd proved to be an incredible child actor with maturity beyond his years. Whether he’s riding his bike down a hallway or fearing his father, Lloyd effectively uses facial expressions to capture terror felt by a child able to foresee the future. It’s arguably the greatest performance ever given by a child actor in cinema history.
Lastly, Shelley Duvall merits appreciation. As an anxious mother worried about her family, she’s heartbreaking.
The final aspect of “The Shining” worth discussing is its powerful message. Unlike most horror movies, it discusses universal themes everyone can relate to. It tackles universal themes such as alcoholism, mental health and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of Stephen King’s novel to appreciate it. Therefore, “The Shining” is one of those rare horror movies that everyone will adore.
Fans of Stanley Kubrick will definitely enjoy “The Shining” and so will movie-goers seeking engrossing entertainment.
Nearly 40 years following release of a classic film capturing hardships that families trapped in claustrophobic hotels are facing, it remains a shining reminder of a movie which had a big impact on the horror genre earning a massive fan following for frightening portrayals of isolation affecting families’ well-being.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 
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