- The Shining is a film about family. More specifically, a family that sees crazy paranormal apparitions, has weird psychic powers, and, in the case of one family member, goes on a murderous rampage. The patriarch is a man named Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), whom we quickly learn is trying to get away from it all. He's looking to write a book and wants nothing more than the peace and quiet he expects to experience serving as winter caretaker for the isolated Overlook hotel. His wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) is a good enough sport to go along with Jack's plan, but their young son Danny (Danny Lloyd) has some reservations. It seems that Danny's imaginary friend Tony, the "little boy that lives in (his) mouth," doesn't like the Overlook Hotel. As Jack is completing what will prove to be a successful job interview, Tony even shows Danny a vision involving a long hallway and a lot of blood. Unfortunately, Danny is outvoted in the way that children often are, and the family is soon on their way.
- In a film career overflowing with great sets, the Overlook may be Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece. I was astonished when I first learned that all of the interior shots were performed on soundstages at Elstree Studios in London, with only a small number of the exterior shots showing the real-life Timberline Lodge in Oregon. At any rate, the Overlook is an absolutely convincing replica of the sort of mountain resorts that probably did exist in Colorado at the turn of the last century and, for that matter, continue to exist in Estes Park (where the Stanley Hotel once inspired Stephen King to write The Shining). The gargantuan structure seems to consist of equal parts rooms and lounges, the latter of which are peopled with the usual old photographs, chandeliers, fireplaces, and cushioned couches. As if that weren't enough, there is also an enormous hedge maze outside. Did I mention that the hotel was built on an old Indian burial ground or that one of the previous caretakers chopped up his family and stacked them like cordwood? And don't even ask the hotel cook, a friendly fellow named Hallorann (Scatman Crothers), about what happened in room 237. Oh well, I'm sure there's nothing to worry about.
- At first, things go well for the Torrances. Danny tears down the hotel hallways in brilliant tracking shots that perfectly capture the sensation of Big Wheels rolling over resonating hardwood and muffled carpet. In the meantime, Wendy keeps busy with the hotel maintenance while Jack starts in on his writing. As winter wears on, however, things become increasingly unbalanced. Danny begins to see visions of creepy twin girls, and it doesn't take much imagination to figure out who they must be. Simultaneously, Jack's already gruff mannerisms degenerate into outright nastiness and constant snaps at Wendy. One gets the impression that some of this tension is leftover from an earlier family altercation in which Jack injured Danny's arm, a story that Wendy relates with all the reticence of an alcoholic's wife. That's why Wendy immediately suspects Jack when an obviously traumatized Danny suddenly develops bruises on his neck. It isn't long, however, before Jack is up to his elbows in weird women (Lia Beldam and Billie Gibson), mysterious bartenders (Joe Turkel), and a disturbingly familiar waiter named Grady (Philip Stone). Wait, how much of this is real and how much is imagined?
- Wisely or not, the film eventually provides an answer. By the time Jack is in full "Heeere's Johnnny!" axe murderer mode and the foreboding music of Bartok has given way to the actively terrifying sounds of Penderecki, there is no doubt that the Outlook is actually haunted. Just ask the ghostly Grady, who reluctantly frees Jack from being imprisoned in one of the food lockers. Pretty soon, everybody is having visions reflected in countless mirrors everywhere, and...hey, what's with that guy in the dog costume? Regardless, the film loses some of its impact when it shifts from skillfully building up suspense to randomly delivering shocks, the most notable of which involves the decidedly tragic life of Mr. Hallorann, but there is hardly much reason to complain. With such outstanding and atmospheric sets and music, a surprisingly excellent performance from Danny Lloyd, and the usual level of insanity from Jack Nicholson (who is never a dull boy), The Shining easily qualifies as one of the great horror films. I'm not claiming that I understood everything I saw, I'm just claiming I loved it.
- So that bustling metropolis that Jack is running from is...Boulder? There's also a Colorado state flag in one of the hotel rooms, which is impressive.
- According to the imdb, this film holds the Guinness world record for most retakes of a scene. Accounts differ on which scene it is.
