"You've always been the caretaker....."

Rating: 9/10 (5 August 2018)

At the time of writing this film already has 1469 reviews on IMDB and by the time anyone reads this it may be a fair bit more than that. The Wikipedia article is extensive and cites 166 references, referring mostly to an extensive body of work a lot of which is about the inconsistencies and hidden meanings in this film.
So what do you say about a film that has been the subject of so much scrutiny already? Most folk who watch it now, for the first time, will have heard of it already and a good number will already have a fair grasp of the main plot points.
in the normal run of things this makes for a poor movie watching experience, but in this case that is not so; the film is still frightening, still fascinating, and still slightly baffling even when you are watching it for the third or fourth time.
Kubrick's film leaves you guessing and speculating about the true meaning of the plot and the motivations of the characters; some see this as a weakness (a 'better film' might have been more explicit) but I think it is all part of what makes the film so special. Some folk accuse Nicholson of 'sabotaging the film' but I don't see how this is possible; sometimes filming of a single short scene took all day, there were that many retakes; if Kubrick didn't get the exact performances he wanted, it wasn't for lack of trying.
Technically the film is very well done; the scenery, the lighting, the innovative steadycam camerawork, the score; it is all very well done.
The casting of this movie is also superb; well before they have any apparent reason to be so, Shelly Duvall looks vulnerable and frightened , and Jack Nicholson is looking more than a little manic. You just know it is going to be downhill from there....
It is worth noting that, starting with the same premise, a similar script etc, it would have been possible make a very straightforward film, absolutely lacking in the qualities that make this film so interesting. Testament to the brilliance, obsession even, of Kubrick, I'd say.
I am not a big fan of horror movies per se, but I do like films that are well done, in almost any genre, and I do like films that get people talking. This film fits both of those requirements admirably well. Well worth watching.