Nicholson Shines.

Rating: 9/10 (19 June 2015)

The Shining (1980): Dir: Stanley Kubrick / Cast: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, Scatman Crothers, Philip Stone: Intense shocker about a hotel with a grisly past. The title represents a psychic ability that renders communication through the mind. The Overlook Hotel is closing for the winter months and a new caretaker arrives. Jack Nicholson plays Jack Torrence, former professor now writer who slowly descends into madness stemming from a child abuse incident involving his son. Shelley Duvall plays his wife, Wendy who remains optimistic until bruises appear on their son's neck. Danny Lloyd plays their son Danny who has the shining and sees visions of murdered twin girls. Scatman Crothers plays the head chef who communicates with Danny through shining and becomes determined to oversee the safety of the boy through a blistering blizzard. Philip Stone plays Delbert Grady, a former hotel caretaker with a grisly past that haunts the hotel. Another achievement by Stanley Kubrick whose brilliance is as fetching as the massive rooms of the hotel. Maddening performance by Nicholson whose caretaker absorbs the hotel in a frozen frenzy. Duvall is excellent as a mother bent on protecting her child. Lloyd uses brains in outwitting his father in the massive hedge maze. Themes of domestic abuse referencing fairy tales and places where the mind and body cease to leave. Score: 9 / 10