THE SHINING ★★★★.5

"The Shining is an American horror film directed by Stanley Kubrick and based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King. The film stars Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance, a writer who moves with his wife and son to the Overlook Hotel, an isolated hotel in the mountains of Colorado, to be the night watchman for the winter. Jack, tormented by his demons and isolation, begins to lose his sanity and becomes a threat to his family.

The film takes its time developing the characters and building the atmosphere, which makes Jack's descent into madness all the more terrifying. The visual style of The Shining is iconic. The film features a cold, austere aesthetic, with a limited colour palette and lighting that creates a claustrophobic atmosphere.

Kubrick's cinematography is enamouring, emphasising the use of long shots and steadicam to create a sense of eeriness and isolation. The performances of the cast are memorable. Jack Nicholson delivers a tour-de-force performance as Jack Torrance, perfectly capturing his descent into madness. Shelley Duvall also delivers a powerful performance as Wendy Torrance, Jack's wife. Danny Lloyd, in his film debut, gives a convincing performance as Danny Torrance, Jack's son.

In conclusion, "The Shining" is a masterpiece of horror cinema that anyone who hasn't seen it should see.