Lost In Translation

Rating: 7/10 (17 August 2008)

Kubrick lost the plot on this one. The film left out many important details from the novel, hence making Shining lose much of its psychological impact. It fails to get under your skin as the novel does. Elsewhere, beyond Kubrick's half-baked script...his direction is flawless. Notably, the opening credits, the wide follow sho...(read more) ts of the hotel interior, the 'blood' scenes, the ballroom/bar sequences, jacks fury, and the maze chase are masterful . The film is beautifully shot...the hotel looks both inciting and forbidding. The score is memorable. Performances by the cast is commendable. Of particular note is the boy who plays Danny and Scatman Crothers as Mr. Ullman. The mothers performance is effective enough to induce sympathy from the audience. Elsewhere, Jack Nicholson is brilliant in one of his most recognizable roles. He is both hilarious and terrifying at the same time. Overall, The Shining is a decent adaption that is pulled down by its unfaithfulness to its source material. Though its not a Kubrick masterpiece, the film is worth seeing for Nicholson's performance and cinematography alone.