FILM: The Shining (1980)

[John 2,032]

The Shining (1980), directed by Stanley Kubrick.

 

 

A frequent criticism some have against this film is that it's just not scary. I disagree; it's just not frightening in the traditional sense. Hitchcock once said that suspense isn't created by a bomb going off, but by the anticipation of the explosion. The Shining builds off that mantra to brilliant effect. It teases you at a distance of all these shocking events and images, but only gives you just enough to let you fill in the blanks yourself. The film favors atmosphere over cheap jump scares that are so common among horror films. Chills over thrills.

 

The film is beautifully photographed and deeply atmospheric. The framing and mise-en-scène is unmatched. Kubrick's use of lighting, long takes, and the relatively new Steadicam adds a chillingly detached dimension to the film, as if we, the audience, are omnipresent observers, watching these characters from a distance.

 

The Shining, like many of Kubrick's works, is slowly paced. It takes its time. After a recent viewing, I was struck by how the entire first half is almost entirely setup for later events and details in the film.

 

Kubrick's use of dissonant and often jarring music throughout the film is genius and adds to the eerie atmosphere and feeling of unease throughout the film.

 

The cast is excellent. Nicholson delivers one of the most memorable performances in movie history, with his over-the-top portrayal of a man driven insane by forces beyond his control. Shelley Duvall’s fear and horror as she watches Jack slowly lose his mind - she was perfectly cast for the role of Wendy.

 

I can't imagine this film being made today. It is almost art house-like in its tendencies and structure. A truly frightening, endlessly fascinating piece of pop cinema. 

 

***** out of *****

[Chen G. 3,943]

2 hours ago, John said:

Hitchcock once said that suspense isn't created by a bomb going off, but by the anticipation of the explosion

 

The anticipation being that of the audience. Its the notion that, when the audience is in on information that's withheld from the characters, that generates suspense. Its pretty much the textbook definition of suspense (as opposed to tension) in Hollywood today.

 

And while I would say The Shining just isn't scary, it does have atmosphere by the boatload. It should be said, however, horror is the second most subjective genre, so there's that going for the movie, too. I don't find it scary - others might.

[A24 4,326]

We are all different so everything is subjective. While the film doesn't frighten me, I enjoy watching it, because I like Kubrick's style. BTW, on repetitive viewing, concepts like 'scary', which mostly feeds on novelty, suffer from the law of diminishing returns anyways, so who cares?

 

 

And make no mistake, Jack was already crazy.

 

 

 

"The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long ... And you have burned so very, very brightly, Jack."

[Oomoog the Ecstatic 314]

The Shining was a comedy about Colorado's bad hotel service.

[John 2,032]

 

Hehe...