What is Brilliance?

Rating: 8/10 (24 February 1999)

What is brilliance? Many will think Welles, Ford or Capra. We know the films and their honors. Are they truly brilliant achievements? To say that Stanley Kubrick is an odd director would be a gross understatement. He's known for his treatment of actors and his treatment of script. But we also know that the man gets results. Dislike him or revere him, he is one of the finest directors of the 20th century. This film is probably his biggest undertaking. It may be appropriate to say that this is his biggest commercial success or his only commercial film. "Clockwork' and "2001" did very well at the box offices, but they are hailed as critical and artistic pieces. This film is a horror film. No point in denying what it is. It falls into the category of the Jason's, the Michael Myers and the Freddy Kruger's. But...it also stands right next to the Damein's, the Exorcist's and the Serpent and the Rainbow's. It blends both styles of horror together and creates a feast of fear that one can sink their teeth into over and over again.
I can watch Nicholson's over the top performance over and over again. It's one of the most challenging roles in his career. Many critics pose that the character's anger was poorly developed and motivated. I would disagree on that notion because going into the film we know from the meeting with Ullman that this guy is not right. I was not bothered by that. It's sort of a twist. It adds mystery . It poses the question: Who's really evil?...Jack?...or Danny? There were scenes that I actually felt myself rooting for his character, because he represents a hidden rage within all of his. We cannot deny it. To show that on film...that's brilliance!