In Defense of Shelley Duvall

Rating: Null/10 (2 September 2003)

First, let me say I'm one of those who thinks THE SHINING is a
masterpiece of a horror movie. I don't understand the people who don't
think it's scary, but I assume they're not lying, so who knows. It
worked for me. It is not my intention to discuss the hypnotic camera
work and pulsating rhythm, the tracking shots, the Diane Arbus twins,
elevator of blood, production design, music, or great reaction shots.
Neither will I discuss the book, which I read as a kid, but quickly
forgot. No, I am writing this in spirited defense of a genius
performance by Shelley Duvall that even some fans of the movie seem not
to appreciate.
She is the heart and soul of the movie. Jack is terrifying in a Grand
Guignol way, and Danny Lloyd is great, too, but it is left to Shelley
Duvall to carry the full weight of being scared - in other words, she
has to be frightened for everybody. She is the on-screen person who
perceives the full scope of the horror that is going on. (If nobody
onscreen is scared, a horror movie becomes a comedy.) Shelley does this
with a believability that is unique in screen history. Most actors can't
do it; they just fake it and get worked up. When Shelley Duvall is
trapped in the bathroom, she reacts with an unhinged hysteria that
obviously comes from a very deep and dark place within her. The hooror
of the moment comes only partly from the ax, only partly from the
malevolence in Nicholson's performance. The real horror comes from
looking into the eyes of woman about to be hacked to death, and
Shelley's eyes convey truth.
Now, as for those people who either ignore her, or worse deride her,
they have a hopelessly shallow view of acting. I imagine they look for
maximum coolness or maximum minimalism, two things that are highly
prized in Hollywood lately, and in horror films especially. Shelley
Duvall does neither. Instead she presents an accurate portrait of a real
woman - and the reality of the characterization rests on the
eccentricity of Wendy. Wendy is not a Sigourney Weaver character, all
taciturn strength surrounding a wounded vulnerability, or a Sharon Stone
character, all highly strung tics surrounding a wounded vulnerability,
or a Julia Roberts character, all smiles and goodwill surrounding a
wounded vulnerability. No, Wendy in THE SHINING is a wounded
vulnerability surrounding a wounded vulnerability. Her character is
NOTHING like the Wendy in the Stephen King book - thank God - with her
strong legs and blond hair and take charge attitude. Stanley Kubrick's
THE SHINING is not about the downtrodden family of a drunk fighting back
when he goes too far. It is not about empowerment. It is about having no
power; it is about being trapped; it is about evil coming to get you. It
is about the ax you are powerless to stop, and that is why Kubrick went
and got Shelley Duvall. Her Wendy is a hopelessly unsophisticated - but
not ignorant (she reads CATCHER IN THE RYE) - country girl who is
completely in the power of her husband. This is a VERY REAL character.
The Shelley-Duvall-Wendys of this world are the kind who axe murderers
prey upon, far more so than the Sigourney Weavers or Sharon Stones. We
know that this Wendy is hopelessly ill-equipped to deal with this
situation, as is little Danny, and those of us with hearts to feel (few
of us, I fear) are scared for her. Most importantly, she is unable to
protect her young son. If she could, it wouldn't be a horror movie, it
would be a LIFETIME TELEVISION FOR WOMEN movie, and she'd be played by
Valerie Bertinelli.
But beyond the characterization, there is the task of acting it, and
Shelley is great at this. She is scrupulously honest throughout the
movie, and I'm including those loopy line-readings that may be the
reason her critics seem to hate her performance. Line readings like
"That's OK. I understand." Do you know the one I'm talking about? What
we have here is Shelley showing us Wendy acting. Wendy is acting upbeat
and positive for Jack, and Wendy can't act. Shelley can - Wendy can't.
There are moments when Wendy is annoying, because Shelley Duvall is not
out to make the audience love her. This does not reflect on Shelley.

But besides an emotionally accurate characterization, and brilliant
acting talent, there is the face. It is an exceptionally emotionally
expressive face. Her bone structure is very much like Loretta Young's,
but missing half the beauty. Half the beauty is there, but the other
half is Alfred E. Newman. The limpid eyes do most of the work, conveying
a child-like fear in step with the habit horror movies have of putting
children in the path of danger. The first time Jack yells at her, her
face collapses in a confused hurt that is disguised by NOT ONE emotional
defense. Michelle Pfiefer would well up with tears and shoot back
resentment, but that would be ro