Jack Nicholson takes the job as caretaker in a remote hotel for the winter and moves in with his wife (Shelly Duvall) and son (Danny Lloyd). The son starts seeing visions of people whilst Jack Nicholson slowly goes insane. Jack Nicholson gives one of his best performances as the caretaker terrorising his family in a hotel cut off from the world. Shelly Duvall gives a good performance as his wife getting gradually more terrified. The scene where Jack Nicholson breaks into the bathroom where Shelly Duvall is hiding has become iconic as he puts is head through the hole and says "Heeeere’s Johnny".
However the phrase was not in the original script but was ad-libbed by Jack Nicholson in one of the takes and it remained in the film. From a filming perspective, it is the use of a steady-cam that draws the viewers into several of the scenes, for example following the child on the tricycle. The story is based on the novel by Stephen King but it is Staley Kubrick's interpretation that defines the film.
Jack Nicholson
Shelly Duvall
Philip Stone
4/5