A Psychological Joyride

Rating: 8/10 (31 January 2008)

1408 was a solid, conclusive film. It succeeded in being a great psychological thriller because it veered into much more intelligent and introspective scenes than your run-of-the-mill films like Saw or Hostel. This isn't a movie seething with blood and gore, but even more to its credit than that is the fact that it also doesn't try too hard NOT to be within the same genre as those gore-horror movies, so the outcome isn't overdone to the point of being tacky and pitifully "artsy." You won't find any shaky camera scenes or other overstated camera tricks thrown in here. This is a wonderful homage to purer times; back when we still had to use our imaginations when watching movies. Unfortunately we live in a day and age where most films spell everything out for you so you are spoonfed a mediocre story that basically does all the thinking for you...this film lets you think. It lets you understand the very basic bits of information (i.e. that the room is basically driving this man mad), but the chills, thrills, and spine-tingling moments are all perpetuated by your OWN sense of paranoia and your own sense of fear, rather than going along with situations that have already been dictated to you.
As for the story; it was enjoyable. Not stunningly original, but stylish and still fresh. You will get the feeling at various times throughout the movie that you have seen certain things before; and certainly they are standards of several classic Stephen King stories, but I think of that more as Stephen King's personal trademark rather than the writers resting on their laurels by adding touches that have worked well in the past. I wasn't impressed with the underlying story of Mike's past, particularly his daughter coming back to haunt him. I felt like it was thrown in to add something touching, but it detracted from the feel of the movie rather than adding the bit of humanity I suspect was its purpose. Overall, it was a chilling, excellently told film. The story itself in not a new one; but John Cusack's perfect performance, a good story that didn't veer off and lose you with too much new age imagery, and an expertly creepy feel set off by a truly bone chilling soundtrack was the perfect mix. Truth be told, if I was sleeping alone tonight, I would be lying awake and more than a little uneasy about being alone in the dark...especially with a clock radio by the bed. And I don't consider myself a person who gets rattled easily. Mission accomplished. Highly recommend.