1408

I usually know what movies I’m going to watch each summer; it’s pretty much planned out in May. I know I’m a freak. Every once in a while, a movie comes in under the radar, a movie I haven’t even heard about, but is getting lots of critical acclaim so I have to watch it. 1408 is one of those movies. It’s a ninety-minute suspense thriller adapted from a Stephen King short story starring John Cusack. I’m sold.

This movie is must see. The basic plot is John Cusack plays a writer who travels around and debunks haunted hotels and such. Then he hears about Room 1408 in The Dolphin Hotel. He takes the “challenge” and asks Samuel L Jackson’s hotel manager if there are “ghosts or specters” haunting the place to which Jackson ominously replies, “It’s an evil fucking room”. And that it is. The room has a mind of its own as it gives Cusack’s Mike Enslin one hour to live. Now in case you’re wondering, this movie isn’t torture porn like Saw and Hostel; it isn’t gory and there is only a little blood. What this film does have is suspense and disturbing images. It’s a psychological thriller. I would say it’s like The Shining with a much faster pulse.

John Cusack gives a tour-de-force performance in this film. Basically, it’s just him in Room 1408 for an hour. Cusack’s Mike Enslin goes through a wide range of emotions as the room starts to toy with him. I found his skepticism to be easily relatable and the audience gets pulled along as Enslin slowly gets convinced of the evil presence within the hotel room. What I actually found impressive was how well Cusack could cry. I have seen a lot of male actors try to cry on film and it usually looks terrible. The tears coming out of Cusack were totally believable. This guy is a much better actor than people give him credit for. This movie is worth it for just the acting experience alone.

Of course, it’s Stephen King’s brilliant story that keep the audience on their toes. If you are a fan of suspense, there are a couple of things you can see coming but then there are twists that will throw you for a loop. What’s really weird is that the pace of this movie is quick even though not much is happening on the screen at times. One of the things I love most about 1408 is that it’s only ninety minutes long. They tell their story and they finish it well. Hollywood seems to think that I want to see longer movies in order to get my money’s worth. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I would much rather see a well-plotted, well-acted hour and half over a poorly-scripted, three-hour mess any day.

In conclusion, if you like suspense, you have to see this movie. I won’t take no for an answer. You really gotta trust me on this one.

Reviews coming soon: Live Free or Die Hard, Transformers, Ratatouille