Posted: 06/25/2007

1408

(2007)

by Neal Fischer

I was excited to see the very creepy trailer for this film when it came out a few months ago. I had heard that it was a Stephen King short story and that fact alone had me excited. One of my favorite films of all time, The Shawshank Redemption, was based on a short story by master author Stephen King. So as I said, I was excited but I wasn’t expecting a masterpiece.

I really enjoyed this film. I think the reason most people will enjoy this film is because of John Cusack’s performance. Sometimes the man can be underrated as an actor. Most people see his early romantic comedy work or his fast-talking comedic work and never get to see his full range. Fortunately, this film utilizes that range to the full extent. We get wonderfully cynical dialogue that only he can deliver, and we get a wide range of natural emotions that never seem forced. The supporting performances are good, from Samuel L. Jackson’s nicely restrained performance to a brief cameo from Tony Shalhoub. The director, Mikael Håfström, has directed only one other English language film, 2005’s Derailed. His direction here is supportive to the material. He doesn’t try to be flashy with the camera work, which is why this film works so well.

These days, horror films are all about the scare or the climax. This film tips its hat to older horror/thriller films by building up the terror and relying on the audience to feel uneasy throughout the entire film and not at key moments.

Now, for what the film is about! Cusack plays a writer with an unfortunate past. His daughter passed away very young and he began to write novels about haunted places. Cusack’s character believes that the supernatural is a hoax, and even if it were real, there is no God to protect us from it. He decides to check out room 1408 at the Dolphin Hotel in New York, against the strict reservations of manager Samuel L. Jackson. Craziness ensues!

I had a great time watching 1408, and I think anyone who sees it will, too. It’s not the typical modern horror movie, loaded with torture and gratuitous killing. I think you will enjoy it. I hope you do. Sometimes we all need to be a little creeped out.

Neal Fischer is a film reviewer and filmmaker living in Chicago.

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