In analyzing The Shining, I adhere to three key categories: Artistry, Thematic Resonance, and Engagement. Artistry involves evaluating the film’s creative elements—everything from the directing, set design, acting, and cinematography to the originality of its execution.
Thematic Resonance delves into the philosophical conflicts, how they manifest in the plot, characters, and environment, and whether these conflicts are effectively explored.
Engagement focuses on whether the film captures and sustains attention through its storytelling and execution. The Shining, while visually extraordinary, suffers from a few critical narrative shortcomings that hold it back from being fully engaging.
Artistry
Kubrick’s adaptation of The Shining transforms the Overlook Hotel into a living, breathing character. His psychological approach focuses on isolation as a catalyst for Jack’s descent into madness, expertly conveyed through his visual mastery.
The film’s use of tracking shots—whether it’s Danny biking through the hotel’s eerie hallways or Jack's pursuit of his son through the maze—reflects a deep connection between the environment and Jack’s unraveling mind. Kubrick contrasts the vibrant interiors of the Overlook with the lifeless snow outside, mirroring Jack’s isolation and elaborately labyrinthine mental state.
Kubrick's blocking, such as Wendy entering Jack's room through the door on the right while we see Jack’s reflection in the left third of the frame, elevates tension through precise composition. His strong command of vision translates so clearly on screen that it enhances my appreciation for how sparingly Kubrick relies on cutting, using it as a last resort.
The stories of his characters and their environments are told through blocking, creating a layered, atmospheric experience. Even the slow zoom-outs convey an unsettling atmosphere, triumphing in the show-don’t-tell principle. Kubrick knows the purpose of every frame, but his reliance on visual storytelling somewhat overshadows the film's emotional depth.
Thematic Resonance
Kubrick’s The Shining departs from King’s supernatural elements, focusing instead on Jack’s psychological disintegration. The Overlook Hotel's labyrinthine structure parallels Jack’s fractured mind—its haunted history becoming a reflection of Jack's growing madness.
However, this same depth is not afforded to Wendy and Danny, who fall victim to a lack of narrative development. Wendy is reduced to a passive observer, while Danny, despite his telepathic abilities, feels more like a device to expose Jack’s madness and the Overlook’s sinister past than a fully realized character.
The potential for a deeper exploration of their psyches is underutilized. The climax—where Dick, who shares Danny’s powers, arrives to save them but meets an anticlimactic death—feels like a missed opportunity to explore Danny’s abilities and their impact on the narrative.
Despite these flaws, the motif of the maze is a particular highlight for me. The maze not only serves as a plot device but mirrors Jack’s inevitable descent into mental isolation. Kubrick’s use of this symbol shows his deeply psychological approach to storytelling, linking the hotel’s labyrinthine structure to Jack’s deteriorating mind, and culminating in the chilling finale where Jack is lost in a physical and mental maze.
Engagement
Kubrick’s visual storytelling undeniably keeps the viewer hooked, even as the emotional connection to the characters falters. The narrative’s reliance on exposition, particularly through Danny, weakens the film’s ability to fully immerse the audience in its psychological horror.
While Jack’s descent into madness is compelling, Wendy and Danny’s underdeveloped motivations make it difficult to feel emotionally invested in their survival. Kubrick’s direction shines, but the uneven writing, especially in terms of character depth, undermines the film’s overall impact.
I found myself more intrigued by Kubrick’s direction than by the actual unfolding of the story. The maze-like structure of the Overlook and Jack’s psyche is fascinating, yet the lack of attention to the protagonists diminishes the tension that should carry through to the film’s climax.
Conclusion
The Shining stands as a masterfully directed film, a testament to Kubrick's meticulous attention to visual detail and atmosphere. His ability to turn the Overlook Hotel into a haunting, psychological character elevates the film into a league of its own, showcasing his unparalleled command of the cinematic form.
While I feel the character development of Wendy and Danny could have been explored more deeply to enhance emotional investment, Kubrick’s sharp vision and visual storytelling are more than enough to carry the film.
Ultimately, The Shining remains a brilliant work of psychological horror—flawed, perhaps, in its narrative depth but undeniably a triumph of craftsmanship and atmosphere.
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