The Shining (1980)

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Screenplay: Stanley Kubrick, Stephen King, Diane Johnson

Cast: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Scatman Crothers, Danny Lloyd

Duration: 144min

PLOT: Jack is a struggling alcoholic. He is a writer and a teacher. He goes to an isolated hotel as a caretaker in the heart of winter. The hotel has a dark past and contains dark spirits. The spirits start to possess Jack and he slowly turns insane. Alongside, his son Danny develops a psychic ability called the Shining that allows him to see spirits.

REVIEW: Directed by Stanley Kubrick, The Shining is a masterpiece of a horror film. The movie is an adaptation of the novel of the same name published in 1977, by the American author Stephen King. It is said that even now, King remains disappointed with the adaptation.

The movie mainly takes place in a fictional overlook hotel. The plot centers around Jack Torrance, his wife Wendy and his 5-year old son Danny. Three-time Oscar winner Jack Nicholson is brilliant in this movie and plays the role perfectly. It is hard to imagine anyone else doing a better job. From the beginning to the end, the film is captivation all throughout. It has both comedy and horror flick. Stanley Kubrick creates an unbearable sense of paranoia and terror with his master direction; the very creepy atmosphere enhanced by great camerawork. The creepy background music is very effective in setting the mood. When the film progresses, the mood gets more intense, leading to an amazing conclusion that does the setting justice. The Shining is an amazing achievement in the art of horror. Even after thirty-seven years since its release, this movie remains to be a true classic in horror cinema. Watching it is an incredibly creepy yet exhilarating experience.

Reviewed by Saqiba Nawshin Junnurine