Poor Translation

Rating: 5/10 (19 December 2007)

I'm a purist, so please keep that in mind when reading this review.
If you've read (or listened to) King's short story in either "Blood and Smoke" or "Everything's Eventual," then you will probably be disappointed with the movie. The old saying, "The book's always better" couldn't be more true with regards to the screen adaptation of 1408.
First of all, a take on the choice of actors. Samuel L. Jackson, while undoubtedly a brilliant actor in his own right, is mis-cast as Mr. Olin, the manager of the Hotel Dolphin. He's too strong a presence on screen and the "pudgy little hotel manager" who loses his "personal magnetism" when out of his office in the story is lost on such a powerful actor. To better capture the essence of the written story, Wayne Knight (Seinfeld's "Newman") would've been a better choice, in my view. John Cusak as Mike Enslin, however, was a perfect match.
The dialogue that takes place in the written version between Enslin and Olin at the beginning of the story really sets the pace for what's to come, and while movie did a so-so job of capturing that tension and foreboding in their exchange it could've been a lot better. Instead of keeping Enslin and Olin conversating longer in the office, thereby building the tension even more, a sub-plot is added to fill the space in which Enslin sees his dead daughter and a ghost of himself communicating via teleconference with his estranged wife. While this is in keeping with many of King's bizarre stories, I felt it was a little out of place and things from the original -- such as a longer scene in Olin's office -- would've made for a better script.
The time Enslin spends in Room 1408 is a bit creepy in the style of the old Suspense radio plays of the 40's & 50's, but his experiences are nothing like those in the book. Also, his mini-corder and the comments he records on them play a big part in the story, but it's completely downplayed by what's happening. The storyline is almost...well, boring. It has its moments, but I don't think the direction they went with it is in keeping with the spirit of horror Enslin experiences in the written version.
If you're a die-hard Stephen King movie fan, you'll probably like this movie. However, if you've read/listed to the story in it's original form, I think you'll find it a bit tedious and pedantic.