|
Agreed, King's books generally make better mini-series' than feature films - this is because he writes about people more than out-and-out horror, and expectant cinema crowds are not going to wait while characters are fleshed out as much as they need to me to make many of King's screen adaptations work.
Of course there are still movie winners like Carrie, The Dead Zone and The Shining -
Reason Jack Nicholson's performance is often criticised, LIVING/DEAD, is his lunatic over-acting right from the word go; once the audience spies him in the role of Jack Torrence it is apparent all is not well upstairs... recovering alcoholic or not. This performance is at odds with the scintilating book, where Torrance is gradually and more subtly played as a pawn by the evil within the hotel (which is the star) rather than becoming a simmering, demonic, axe-wielding monster at the drop of a hat.
But, Nicholson, Duvall and the kid still make for a superb horror movie however far removed it is from Stephen King's original vision.
|