The Shining (1980) - Lisa's Review

The Shining has been one of those movies that has never fallen off my Top 20 Movies List.  Once upon a time it was in the top 10, but since then I've seen A LOT of movies, so it is a testament to how good the movie is to still remain so high in my estimation.  I'm generally not a big Kubrick fan, but this is his finest work IMHO.

The Shining is a movie I would expect everyone has seen.  Giving a detailed premise seems redundant, but for the sake of any future young 'uns who may happen upon this blog, here is a basic idea.

We follow frustrated and ex alcoholic author, Jack Torrance, who is looking for somewhere quiet and secluded, where inspiration may strike and enable him to do some writing.  A perfect opportunity comes up for Jack to act as a winter caretaker at The Overlook Hotel, which is closed from November to May due to severe weather conditions.  Jack is delighted to be offered the position, and despite warnings from the hotel manager about the previous caretakers meltdown and experience of cabin fever, he feels strong enough of mind to handle the seclusion.  He has the company of his long suffering wife Wendy and young son Danny over the period.

Jack is a very sullen and troubled character and his wife Wendy appears to be very put upon.  Jack seems to hold her responsible for his lack of success and inability to hold down a job since he lost his teaching career due to his violent tendencies.  With all this in mind, it was perhaps, not the best decision to take his young family to the seclusion of Overlook Hotel.

Right from the start, young Danny starts having visions.  He is psychic normally and has a 'supposed' imaginary friend, but his tendencies go into overdrive in the hotel and as much as he knows he should stay away from a certain room (237), he becomes intrigued by what it could possibly contain.  The truth of what the hotel contains is something that neither Danny, nor his parents could have ever imagined.

The longer the family spend in the hotel, the more strained and tense things become.  Phone lines are down due to the weather and they are stuck there.  Jack becomes more and more frustrated, turning to the drink again and lashing out at his family.

Nicholsons performance in the movie is a beauty to behold.  The movies only line ever to be made infamous was actually an improvisation by Nicholson that was kept in as it worked in the scene. Often overlooked when talking about the movie, is Shelley Duvall who played Jacks wife Wendy.  Her work in this movie easily equals Nicholsons as far as I'm concerned.  Her despair, fear and absolute desperation in her marriage is absolutely tangible.  She is so relatable and real as a character, you feel actual pain for her plight and situation.

As expected, things spiral even further and things go from pretty bloody bad to absolutely irrepairable.  Will the family survive the intent of Overlook Hotel or will Jack follow in the footsteps of the last caretaker and descend into cabin fever?

The interesting thing about this movie to me is that when it finishes, it leaves us with a lot of questions.  I don't mean that in the sense that we feel cheated as we are left hanging, but more that everything isn't spoon fed to us and we are left to perhaps our own interpretation.  The end scene poses the most interesting question of all and one which I have read a few interpretations of.  I of course, have my own.

So, The Shining?  A resounding, absolute, big, massive YES!!  Recommended.  You MUST see this movie!