Text: The Shining 1980 (feature film)
Element of Media language: Settings; Mirrors
In the Shining, Kubrick uses mazes and mirrors in the background in order to create a sense of confusion, deceptivness and illusion. It is made obvious right from the very start of the film and allows for a more interesting picture.
Mirrors don’t have to be significantly obvious with the display of a real solid mirror it can be conceptually hinted at by many different kind of reflective areas or shiny surfaces. As mentioned, the mirror effect can be seen at the start of the film’s opening shot through the mountains. The stillness of the lake reflects and mirrors what there is to be seen. This stunning mirror image makes for a beautiful scene that draws the attention of audiences to feel a sense of calmness while marveling at nature.
The next usage of mirrors and symmetry can be seen when Danny speaks to Tony in the bathroom. With the camera zooming in of the mirror, we as audiences are not looking at the real Danny but instead a reflection of himself through the mirror. In here we see the mirrors as a form of warning, a way in which viewers are sort of prepared to see something important. The river of blood that Danny sees afterwards is just that. It can also be noted that these occurs similarly later on when Wendy sees the word ‘murder’ written backwards on the bathroom door through the use of a mirror. This notification of what was about to occur was important and if it were not for the mirror she might never have gotten the message.
When Danny curiously approaches the open damned room 237, we see a peak of the room into an open doorway .In here it shows 2 mirrors that are similarly doors themselves that lead into another room. From here it appears as though the room is a maze itself just like a mirror house and is constantly reflecting the opposite view in a bid to confuse those who enter. The mirror here gives viewers a sense of loss as to what is happening. It is just here that we see Danny come out injured and bruised without any explanation of what had happen, we are left to assume that the ghosts and spirits trapped in the ‘mirror house’ have taken their anger out on Danny.
It is said that through the mirror one can see into another dimension, something that is almost spiritual. When Jack enters room 237 to check out on the ghost that had hurt Danny, he enters the bathroom, which is filled with mirrors on opposite sides of the wall. Kubrick here takes on that other alternate dimension in which the spirits live through mirrors. The very fact that Jack discovers he was kissing the corpse of a decaying old lady through the image reflected in the mirror shows this whole alternate dimension. Viewers can come to the conclusion that perhaps the entire house is filled with ghosts that are able to enter the Overlook through the many mirrors within the house.
This connection between mirrors is not only reflected in ‘The Shining’ but also in ‘2001: A Space Odyssey.’ Having gone through the stargate, Dave finds himself staring directly into a bathroom mirror, with the close up of his face we see the reflection of the pipe in his helmet, which revealed that the camera had flipped over to the other side of the mirror. Dave existed in 2 parallel dimensions at once. Viewers see the usage of mirrors here as Kubrick’s way of suggesting that we can see a whole new different side of reality through a mirror.
In my opinion the settings of the mirror and reflections that it created, helped increased the mysteriousness and darkness of the movie. The myth about mirrors being a portal into another dimension intrigued me and I tried to draw as many connections between this myth and the way Kubrick had the setting of the movie done. His usage of mirrors in bathroom especially created a sinister subtle meaning that helped to promote the film as that of a Horror. Kubrick’s usage of mirrors especially in bathroom has become one of his trademarks and a signature of his work.
Mohamed Sahdique Caubang
Words: 713
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