Small Moments: Shine

Ray Noble & Al Bowlly - Midnight, the Stars and You

I bought The Shining on 4K Blu-ray a few weeks ago and finally got round to watching it. It’s been about 5 years since I last saw it but the first time seeing it in 4K, the best quality I’ve seen it in. Wish I saw it in the theatre.

It still packs a punch despite having seen it at least 10 times. It’s hard to forget and the older I get, the finer details I see. The laser precision performances from Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall are incredible. Every inflection had so much weight behind it. The above scene, the first thing I remember is the cigarette and its dangerously long ash length. However, now that I’m more familiar with social etiquette, this scene says so much more. Explaining to a stranger the true reason for a son’s injury is so difficult, trying to be honest but also keeping the shame/embarrassment/the emotional conflict of a relationship having troubles is hard to keep a lid on.

Jack Nicholson’s boiling frustration and rage in the relationship has such pinpoint accuracy of pretending to be loving whilst keeping his selfish torment in check. His ego and delusions adding to the weight of keeping his unwanted responsibilities to his family stuck to him. Nobody else could play this part. This was peak Nicholson (along with Five Easy Pieces and The Last Detail).

That and everything else. It’s a surprisingly fast paced film that moves without making you feel out of breath. 2 hours just flies by.

It’s easily one of the best horror/suspense films of all time with very few peers.