The Shining, is Stanley Kubrick’s remarkably thrilling film that presents how supernatural presences, solitude and domestic issues can all contribute and exploit the delicacy of human sanity. Kubrick’s plot is loosely based on Stephen King’s novel of the same title – Jack Torrence (Jack Nicholson) is a distant husband and father to his wife Wendy (Shelly Duvall) and son Danny (Danny Lloyd). He had the will to resign from his school teaching career to follow the ambitious dream of writing a novel. He requires supreme isolation in order to fulfil his aspiration. He takes the position of Winter Caretaker, at the magnificent Overlook Hotel, located deep within America’s Rocky Mountain region.
One thing that the average person can rely on is their sanity, when you sit down to watch a horror film, whether the events therein be true or not, your subconscious tells you that what your viewing isn’t real. However, the simplicity and clarity of the dialogue prepares the audience for the phenomenal and melodramatic performance of Jack Nicholson and the unbelievable supernatural elements and spectres that reside in the Overlook hotel. The opening scene of the film depicts an American lake and a scenic road within the mountainside, the camera floats above and around the lakeside and road, with a sense of dreamlike freedom. This opening, furthermore, prepares the audience for a story filled with illusory details and the believable, although absurd visions and events that can be evident within a dream. The opening shots also include visions of the incredibly steep mountainside, winding, uninterrupted and endless roads as well as the fact that there are no other settings including towns or houses these features reiterate the idea that the Torrence’s will be in complete isolation during their stay.
The Overlook Hotel, is a spectacular location, within the imposing façade lies inexhaustible corridors that resemble the enduring confusion of a labyrinth or maze. During the Torrence’s stay, Danny’s exploration of the hotel on his tricycle merges the innocence of childhood curiosity with the the brutal and violent history that lies within the rooms and walls of the hotel. Its modern furnishings and sensational 1970’s carpets aim to hide the hotel’s gruesome past. This film is full of recurring imagery, repeating patterns and visual motifs, that reinforce the idea that history often repeats itself. These features allude to the fact that the hotel’s violent past is expected to plague the Torrence’s.
Nicholson’s performance is intensely powerful, and he exemplifies the crossover to insanity. However, his character traits and his actions are ambiguous, as he is a grouchy recovering alcoholic experiencing the nature of withdrawals, the side effects of withdrawals can cause one to hallucinate and to act in an irrational way, whether it be physically or verbally. Jack’s violence could be an extremely severe reaction to the withdrawals of alcohol. Otherwise, his mounting insanity could be the outcome of experiencing the hotel’s supernatural horrors. This sense of mystery and uncertainty is utterly compelling and Nicholson’s gradual demise is frighteningly brilliant.
Duvall’s performance is fantastic and underrated as she is obliging and timid, to her somewhat distant and disagreeable husband. However, she illustrates her resourceful and protective nature when threatened. Therefore, presenting an unpredictably strong facet in character. Lloyd’s performance was very impressive as his character required a difficult duality and the interactions with his mother and father were clearly different, however the way in which he performed these differences was subtle and convincing.
The Shining is an absolutely remarkable film, its mystery and ambiguity unsettles the audience and the supernatural occurrences within the hotel walls can be intensely horrific. However, this film is tasteful as the frightening imagery is thrilling and is composed exceptionally and furthermore, is not chosen for sheer shock value.
The film’s soundtrack is spectacular and understated it was unconventional and new for audiences and filmmakers of the time. It consists predominantly of various solitary sounds that include distorted string-based fragments and classical pieces, it does not necessarily stick to a repeated theme. The soundtrack reinforces the tense and unnerving nature of the film.The drama of each scene is emphasised by the soundtrack and a sense of creeping angst builds throughout the film, it eventually gets to a point where you find yourself startled by a black screen and a simple bold text reading “Thursday”.
Kubrick has created the ultimate horror film. His meticulous brilliance ensures the timeless nature of The Shining, bound to influence for generations to come.
One of my favourite stills:
Amy Leydman