The Shining (1980) Review - 9.5

The Shining 9/10

To picture a film scenario involving a man with the creepiest of smiles, in a hotel with no residents, presumptions are going to form that the film is amongst that of the horror genre. Well when director Stanley Kubrick adapts the Stephen King novel 'The Shining' into a cinematic experience, then that assumption is by all means correct.
The 1980 psychological horror sets itself up when Jack Torrance- (Jack Nicholson) a struggling writer, is offered the caretaker position of the Overlook hotel for the winter period. As the hotel is inhabitable for the wintery months, Jack sees this as a good opportunity to rekindle some of his writing form and escape the temptations of alcohol. The only company he shares is that of his wife Wendy (Shelly Duvall) and son Danny. With months of entrapment inside the hotel and warnings of previous caretakers, there is the immediate tension from the beginning.

The Shining differs from typical and traditional horror films as it attempts to scare people out of their minds rather than out of their skin. The film is highly inventive, especially in terms of how it proceeds to scare, or rather impact, its audience. This can be drawn back to director Stanley Kubrick whose seemingly eccentric and flawless style has captivated a horror story like few others. His use of technical concepts allow a constant 'on edge' feeling to maintain itself throughout the narrative and at times uncertainty about reality and normality are questioned by the audience, ensuring the film has an added unsettling mood fitting to its genre. The use of music notably is highly haunting and well incorporated as its lengthy involvement in scenes truly pulls apart the nerves of its spectator, making sure the fright and horror stays with you long after the film is finished.

Use of the steadicam following Danny

Atmosphere is certainly a crucial component in the horror genre and the ill-boding, edgy atmosphere that surrounds The Shining is more than enough to have people hiding behind their pillows. The personal involvement in which spectators are consumed into scenes, deliver an inescapable presence into the narrative. Camera shots, including the landmark use of the steadicam, position audience behind characters, which make spectators go where characters go. By force not by choice. This undeniably launches them straight into the situations which ensure that they are projected away from their comfort zones and straight in to the horror that is The Shining.

Occupying intense moods, strong characters and outstanding technical capabilities, The Shining truly is a masterpiece which the horror genre should be proud of and will always be regarded as one of the greatest films of all time. Uncountable credibility can be unearthed from previously boasted director Stanley Kubrick whose work on the horror film is unquestionably stunning as he combines majestic beauty with terrifying chills. Additional brilliance can also be found in terms of acting from Jack Nicholson whose performance can only be described as one of cinemas most unparalleled performances. Jack's character brings a medley of moods that are twisted and deranged which are all topped off by a devilishness smile allowing the twisted psychological narrative to really become screwed up. The film really pulls out all the stops in ensuring that audiences are uncontrollably driven with fear and makes them think twice whether having a hotel to yourself is a luxury or rather a nightmare.

Jack Nicholson.