Originally Posted by LordSlaytan
The entire ending differs from the book.
The film doesn't have any of the back story that explains Jack's life and childhood--and that gives more of a sympathetic tone to his descent into psycho-land and his relationship with Danny. But, more than that, the film removes any of the redemptive elements for Jack, which come out in the book's ending. Unlike the book--as dark and creepy as it is--Kubrick's version is just bleak and unrelenting in every way, which is part of why I dig it.
For me, one of the things that always bugged me about the movie is that I cannot see any kind of connection, emotion-wise, between Jack and Wendy. Maybe it's the lack of chemistry between Nicholson and Duval, maybe it's the complete lack of any kind of "married people" mannerisms or habits or actions, but the two of them feel like strangers, and that, too, is different from the book--in King's version, they do love each other, but their marriage is strained because of the alcoholism and Jack's hurting Danny.
But after considering all this, I finally came to the conclusion that Kubrick simply wanted it that way. A lot of marriages and families end up like that, I suppose, so we get some Stanley-commentary on the frustrations of a man who is tied to something he isn't invested in (his family) while fruitlessly pursuing something beyond his reach (writing). Once the hotel gets hold of him, there's nothing to prevent him from (or to really even think twice about) wanting to kill his family. He can get them out of the way for good, and be with his beloved hotel--something that, unlike his writing, he's good at.
Another thing: I never quite understood why Kubrick would want Duval in the movie in the first place, unless it was for her looks (that butt-ugly face always seems to have a vaguely frightened expression, and she genuinely looks terrified throughout the entire last sequence of the movie). The woman is a terrible actor--she makes me cringe every time she speaks, and of course we all know the "100-plus takes" stories. Any thoughts or knowledge 'bout this?
__________________
You were a demon and a lawyer? Wow. Insert joke here."
You were a demon and a lawyer? Wow. Insert joke here."
Last edited by Mary Loquacious; 11-03-03 at 05:42 AM.