Promising Ghost Story, Disappointing Conclusion

Rating: 6/10 (23 February 2008)

The cynical and skeptical writer Mike Enslin (John Cusack) writes books evaluating supernatural phenomena in hotels, graveyards and other haunted places, usually debunking the mystery. While writing his last book, he travels from Los Angeles to New York to spend one night in the evil room 1408 of the Dolphin Hotel, which is permanently unavailable for guests. The reluctant manager Mr. Gerald Olin (Samuel L. Jackson) objects to his request and offers an upgrade, expensive booze and finally the reports relating the death of more than fifty guests along decades in the cursed room. However, Mike threatens Mr. Oiln, promising to sue the hotel, and finally checks in the room. Along the night, he finds that guests of room 1408 can check out when they like, but they can never leave the room alive.
"1408" has a promising ghost story that recalls "Twilight Zone" with good special effects, two great actors - John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson - but unfortunately the conclusion is very disappointing. The storyline recalled me the lyrics of the Eagles' song "Hotel California" ("You can checkout any time you like, but you can never leave!") and the plot is totally wasted with the awful conclusion that destroys the idea that Mike died while surfing and is living in hell due to his bad treatment to his father and to his wife after the death of his daughter. The writer should have left an open end, like most of Asian and European movies, to allow the free interpretation of the viewer instead of giving a terrible commercial end explaining that Mike saw ghosts indeed. My vote is six.
Title (Brazil): "1408"