The Shining (1980) Review

Fig 1. Poster for The Shining (1980)

Introduction

This review examines 1980’s The Shining and how the theme of madness plays a larger role than at
what is initially given. The film’s mise-en-scene is explored to some extent, the narrative and
characters are also examined to determine how the narrative can perceived differently because of the
subjectivity enabled by the unclear viewpoints provided the characters. Sources that were researched
and cited for this review include a quote from the film itself and articles by noted film critics James
Berardinelli and Roger Ebert.

Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining (1980) tells the story of a family of three looking after the Overlook Hotel
during a harsh winter. Along the ever-shorter days and longer nights strange and horrifying
phenomena begin occurring, a malevolent force seems to grip the hotel and insanity grows and grows
within the family. Especially Jack Torrance, the father, as he slowly unravels, descending into utter
madness from seemingly supernatural forces. Danny, the son, bares an extranormal of psychic
thought called the shining, coined by the character of Dick Hallorann; Danny experiences the horrific
visions of the hotel more intensely.

Some have argued that The Shining (1980) is a film about madness not necessarily a film about the
supernatural like a typical ghost story. There is a suggestion within the film itself that the root of the
horror and drama experienced throughout the film is from the isolation and the harsh winter season.
At one point a minor character, Stuart Ullman, when discussing the job with Jack Torrance, mentions
that: “The only thing that can get a bit trying up here during the winter is, uh, a tremendous sense of
isolation” (Kubrick, 1980). What can be inferred from this is that the isolation from the splendours of
modern life and the lack of any communication from other humans other than the family themselves,
suffering cabin fever.
 Fig 2. Overlook Hotel (1980)

One area of interest within the film that can be interpreted as a sign of delusions formed from the
lonesome isolation is the recurring element of mirrors. Certain scenes with Jack have mirrors in them,
when he talks to Wendy at one point, we only see his reflection and when he talks to seemingly the
ghost of Delbert Grady mirrors can again be seen. In his review of the film James Berardinelli pointed
out the significance of mirrors within it, “It has been pointed out that there's a mirror in every scene
in which Jack sees a ghost, causing us to wonder whether the spirits are reflections of a tortured
psyche” (Berardinelli, 2009). This claim is likely given that the scene with Grady and Jack marks a
significant change in the characters motivation and development, it’s the point that leads to the
emotional and tense third act in which Jack attempts to kill his family.

Fig 3. Jack’s reflection in a mirror.

Jack may not be the only who’s account can be trusted – the film suggests the possibility that whole
of the Torrance family mental state is unstable and uncertain. Roger Ebert in his review of the film
noted that “Stanley Kubrick's cold and frightening "The Shining" challenges us to decide: Who is the
reliable observer?” (Ebert, 2006). Ebert refers to how the characters viewpoints don’t appear to be
that reliable when taken in consideration. And there is very much evidence for this statement –
whenever any of the main three characters encounter something supposedly supernatural they are
alone. Thus, we only have the characters perspective to go by, not once do we witness the
preternatural from the point of view two or more. The only character’s viewpoint that seems to be of
adequate objectivity is that of Dick Hallorann as he never encounters the extranormal.
 Fig 4. The Torrance Family

CONCLUSION

The Shining (1980) provides the audience with a subjective narrative: is the Overlook Hotel infested
with the souls of the lost and damned, or does the long, dark winter cause isolation so thorough that
it eats away the minds of all three family members’ minds? Madness plays a crucial in the film and
shows how a the seemingly objective view that audiences will usually take at face value. There is a
possibility that the gruesome events that transpire are all a result of isolation and the a long,
tumultuous dark winter.

Bibliography
Berardinelli, J. (2009, February 18). Shining, The (United States, 1980). Retrieved from Reel Views:
http://www.reelviews.net/reelviews/shining-the

Ebert, R. (2006, June 18). THE SHINING. Retrieved from Roger Ebert.com:
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-the-shining-1980

Kubrick, S. (Director). (1980). The Shining [Motion Picture].

Fig 1. Poster for film [poster] (1980) At: https://www.amazon.com/Shining-Two-Disc-Special-Jack-

Nicholson/dp/B000UJCALI Created on: 12/08/2013 Accessed on: 08/12/2018

Fig 2. The Overlook Hotel [image] (1980) At: http://stephenking.wikia.com/wiki/Overlook_Hotel

Created on: 10/09/2014 Accessed On: 08/12/2018

Fig 3. Jack’s reflection in a mirror [image] (1980) At:

https://www.reddit.com/r/MovieDetails/comments/6yggp4/in_the_shining_a_scene_has_wendy_b
ring_jack/ Created on: 04/11/2017 Accessed on: 08/12/2018

Fig 4. The Torrance Family [image] (1980) At: https://olivianegus.wordpress.com/2013/03/29/george-

hetfield/ Created on: 29/03/2013 Accessed on: 08/12/2018