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May 28, 2008
1408 (2007)
Should I see it?
No.



***Spoiler Warning - I make a reference below which may ruin the film for some readers***


Well meaning doesn't mean well done. Based on Stephen King's short story, the film centers around Mike Enslin (John Cusack), an author who investigates the paranormal. Enslin arrives at the Dolphin Hotel where room 1408 is rumored to be bristling with supernatural activity. In fact, a number of people who have stayed in the room have gone mad and committed suicide. Despite the ominous warnings from the hotel manager Gerald Olin (Samuel L. Jackson), Enslin demands to stay the night in the haunted room.

The first act does a great job of setting up the film and shows great promise. The whole production stumbles off the path as it goes along. This is due, in part, to the ghostly figure not being properly explained and since Enslin is the only character in a single hotel room in danger, his torment becomes somewhat tedious. Essentially, we're asked to watch a man go crazy for an hour and a half. As dramatic as this sounds, it doesn't make for good viewing. The movie has to go to great lengths to keep itself viable and in this it loses its credibility. By the end, the out of control script, which should have been creepy and symbolic (the hotel room becomes his personal Hell), is simply exhausted and leaves an empty finale that doesn't satisfy.


Click on the receding hairline to view the trailer


Related Reviews:
John Cusack movies
Eight Men Out (1988)
The Thin Red Line (1998)


Other Critic's Reviews:
Celluloid Heroes
A Nutshell Review


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posted by Michelle Obama's Left Nut at 8:28 PM




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1 Comments:

Anonymous Darrell said...

I'm with you on this. I remember King's original short story being quick, punchy and darkly humorous. But there's simply no movie there. The drawn out film was a disappointment, especially the dramatically different ending.

Why does Hollywood have to option everything that comes with a name brand? These constant remakes, sequels, adaptations and re-workings make me wonder why the movie and tv writers thought they were worth their strike in the first place. When's the last time any of them other than Charlie Kaufman had an original idea?

May 30, 2008 at 2:35 PM  

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