This review is part of the Stephen King write-off that I organized. Members could write about a King book, movie, audio book, or the King website.

Members participating are:

Amiquilena
BARNZ
DAnneC
Deaser26
D.Markusen
Eplovejoy
Ezreka
Fallyn96
Frazzledspice
Grouch
JAMES23
Jeremy1456
KateTPZ
Mangiotto
Matt_harney
MrsNormanMaine
Mrsocko316
Murasaki
Obdoc
Ravenmidnight
Serc
Shaithis
Sloucho
Xeno3998

For this write-off, I chose Stanley Kubrick's big-screen adaptation of King's third novel (and my favorite book) The Shining.

PLOT

Jack Torrence (Jack Nicholson) is an out-of-work author. Jack is a recovering alcoholic and is haunted by an occurrence where he accidentally broke his son's arm. He gets a job as the winter caretaker of the Overlook Hotel both for money and for a chance to work on his novel.

Jack brings his hideous-looking wife Wendy (Shelley Duval) and five year-old son Danny (Danny Lloyd) with him to the hotel.

Danny is a very special child.

The Torrences arrive at the Overlook just before it closes for the winter. There, Danny meets Dick Hallorann (Scatman Crothers), the African-American cook at the Overlook. He tells Danny that they both possess a power called the shining. He says it’s like “having visions.” He also says that places can shine, too and the Overlook is one of those places.

Even on that first day, Danny begins to shine, seeing too twin girls who aren’t there. As time progresses, Danny sees more things. He begins falling into trances and speaking gibberish such as “Redrum, redrum.” Around the same time, Jack begins to go crazy.

I won’t tell you anymore. I’ve probably told you too much as it is.



ANALYSIS

As you can tell from the title, I think this movie screwed with the book way too much.

Because I've read the novel, I can't help but to compare the movie to the novel. If you haven't read the novel and don't want to read a comparison, you should check out someone else's review.


THE GOOD

Not a whole lot to speak of.

Jack Nicholson is very believable as an insane Jack Torrence. How many people have had nightmares over that famous “Here’s Johnny!” scene?

The set was well done, not exactly what I envisioned when I read the book but close enough.

Kubrick’s use of the steady-cam was revolutionary. It allowed us to see the hotel as we ride with Danny.



THE BAD

Where to start?

Characters...
Many have said Stephen King’s strongest point are his characters. I agree. King’s characters have unique back-stories and thoughts. That’s what makes them so believable. Kubrick short-changes this strong point. Kubrick leaves out most of the characters‘ pasts and thoughts, leaving them awkward and one-dimensional.

Jack’s history of alcoholism and anger-control problems is only vaguely mentioned and his abusive father is completely left out. This makes it hard to explain how the hotel possesses/uses Jack.

Wendy’s troubled childhood is totally omitted. This leaves no explanation to the way she acts and over-reacts, making her quite annoying. It also makes it hard to relate to her.

Even the Overlook Hotel’s past is mostly left out. The only parts that are mentioned are the parts about the caretaker that killed his family and the fact that the hotel is on an Indian burial ground. They never explain why there’s a dead woman in the bathroom of Room 237.


As far as the actors go...

I heard on the Stephen King episode of NBC’s Headliners and Legends that King gave up a part of his movie royalties so they could get Jack Nicholson to play Jack Torrence. As said before, Nicholson plays the insane Jack pretty well, but Jack Torrence isn’t insane throughout the entire movie, at least not totally. His dialogue during the calm moments is fairly lacking. He seems to look crazy even out the beginning, when Jack is a loving husband and father.

Shelley Duvall is, without a doubt, the most annoying and pitiful actor in this movie. She took Wendy Torrence from being a surprisingly clever and strong character in the novel, to some hideous, shrieking idiot in the movie. At several points, you can tell she’s acting and badly at that. In fact, Kubrick told her she was acting badly a few times during the making of this film.

Danny Lloyd seems to be stone-faced throughout the whole movie. He only shows fear and many times, he shows it badly. If I’m not mistaking, this was his only film, just to show you what his performance in this one brought him.


Now for the story itself...

For starters, the movie is nowhere near as scary as the book. Almost all of the haunted, possessed, etc. places and objects from the book are missing. Not appearing are the hedge animals, the concrete ring, the Presidential suite, the basement (probably the most important place), and the godfather clock. This takes away from the fright factor. Of the places that do appear: Room 237 (217 in the book), the elevator, the ballroom, and the attic, only Room 237, the elevator, and the attic add a lot to the creepiness.

I also detest the way Tony is explained and represented. For those of you who don’t know, Tony is what shows Danny what he will see in the future. It’s the same thing in the movie, but he is as explained by Danny, “the boy that lives in my mouth.” How stupid does that sound? He is represented equally as stupid. Instead of being shone as an older boy and eventually as an older version of Danny in the book, which I find pretty clever, he is represented by Danny talking in a weird, hoarse voice while wiggling his index finger and starring at it. Anyone else think that is just a little stupid?


Now to explain the “Too much symbolism” that appears on the cons list. I saw this movie during a class I took on American Cinema. So, while I was watching it, bits and pieces of symbolism were constantly being pointed out. Kubrick changed the story from being partially about alcoholism and domestic abuse to being about his contempt of what America (his country) stands for. If you don’t believe me, pay attention to all of the red, white, and blue; to all of the Native-American imagery; to all of the references to Native-Americans in general. While it would usually make it interesting, Kubrick goes overboard with it and ends up distracting the viewer from the actual plot.


THE UGLY

Once again, Shelley Duvall.



CONCLUSION

I know some people might criticize me for comparing the movie to the book so much, but the liberties Kubrick took is the reason I didn’t enjoy that much. The Shining is my favorite book of all time. To those people who might criticize me, I ask, If someone were to take some work you really love, such as a song, and bastardize it like Kubrick did, wouldn’t you get a little mad?


Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good Date Movie
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older