Cultural Viscera

American History/Culture

Unlike Wendy’s call with the Forest Service, here we have a grown man. Maybe Halloran’s age, maybe younger. Based on what happens in the next scene, I’d say this is a scene where we see two adult men have normal conversation (in steep contrast to Jack and Grady’s conversation). 

Halloran’s living room space amalgamates a few elements from The Overlook & The Torrance’s Boulder Apartment, speaking to Halloran’s status being above the Torrance’s but not as nice as The Overlook. 

Domestic Abuse

Compare Halloran’s concern for Danny vs Jack’s attack over Wendy’s concern over Danny (A50, A64)

While not overt, the abundance of visual information that links across to the most painful scenes create a visual version of “Say like something burns toast”. We don’t need to see the scenes play out in Halloran’s space to recognize the references. The shadow stripes of No.31. The harm of Jack’s alcoholism played out in the bar. The trepidation of Wendy and the forest ranger, reflected by the radio shown here. All of that reminds the viewer (if only subconsciously) of the amount of information we’ve already received. 

Halloran acts on his concern over Danny. Jack acts out of concern for himself. 

The Maze

Kubrick as Unreliable Narrator:

TIme:

The U.S Forest Service guy asks Halloran to call him back in 20 minutes. Halloran will call back 4 scenes from now, meaning that Jack’s time in The Gold Room and his conversation with Grady (and the mental decline showed there) happen within 20 minutes.  

Kubrick’s Aesthetic:

The light and shadow off the beams creating bars, speaking to entrapment. 

Amalgamated Space:

The styling of this space reflects the abundance of information we’ve seen within The Overlook. Combining elements of The Gold Room, The Colorado Lounge, The West Wing Living Quarters,  Halloran is surrounded by The Overlook.

Fish photo reflects the opening shot & the wooden plaque shown in the The West Wing Living Quarters.

A2:i02

A13:i317

Floral patterned chairs: 

The pair of chairs are in a yellow floral pattern. Positioned under the fish photo, they are referencing the West Wing Living Quarters as they communicate the yellow floral pattern and the picture of the ocean.

Animals as trophies: 

Antelope head reflects The Colorado Lounge, buffalo and moose:

A64:i1292 (or better shot)

Exposed ceiling beams:

The Colorado Lounge

A31:i582

Dark wood panelling is pulled from The Colorado Lounge & The Games Room (which are reflections of each other). 

A12:285

A31:i582

Culture as Decoration: 

the Mexican Sombrero on wall reflects 

A37:i652, Wendy has Mexican appliqué on back of jacket. 

A6:i144, asian scroll on wall, The Torrance Boulder Apartment

And the Native American blankets and artifacts as decor. 

The fake plants, planter:

A3:i85, Outside Ullman’s Office

A6:i139, Boulder Apt. 

A53:i1092, the large fake plants/trees 

The red phone:

A6:i144, Wendy on a white phone

A6:i147, Jack on a black phone

Bar:

A47:i808- the Jack Daniels is visible/prominent. 

Radio:

A37:i664 Wendy has to speak to a US Forest Ranger b/c the phonelines have been disconnected

A55:i1179 Jack disconnects

Barometer clock:

Ullman’s Office

A3:i88

A55:i1177

Striped couch:

See: stripes, naturally occuring + pattern

Reflects 

couch in front of window:

A7:i186

A11:i264

A48:i925.5

Stripe patterns:

A2:02 (naturally occurring in sediment)

A22:i471

Trees:

See: real trees, fake trees, Every Indian As A tree

Tiger:

See: Tony, Tony The Tiger, Tigers. 

Reflects Tony. No.6, No.7, A16, A19

Color Palette reflection:

Blue: Halloran’s pajamas, reflecting the West Wing Hallway & Wendy (in general)

Red: Halloran’s phone is red, compared to the Torrance’s being white and the Overlook’s being black.

Ghost Story:

We just saw a strange sequence involving a ghost in one of the rooms, Jack is attacking his wife over leaving the hotel, there’s now either hallucinations or ghost parties— Halloran would be acting to help the family.

Cabin Fever:

We’re seeing a quick decline of either the hotel’s influence or Jack’s mental state— Halloran is acting based on what he experienced from No.48

Direct reflection:

No.37

Technically. 

Wendy finds out the phone lines are disconnected and uses the radio to reach the forest service. 

Halloran’s just catching up. 

No.50

Jack attacks Wendy for wanting to act in Danny’s best interest. 

Halloran as Spiritual Father to Danny:

Halloran has shown (and continues to show) how he acts out of care and protection for Danny. 

Jack acts solely to harm Danny and protect himself. 

No.17 Compared to No.9
Where Halloran offers a treat and Jack offers nothing but snark when Danny tells him he’s hungry

No.19 Compared to No.41
Danny is guarded but open, compared to No.41 where Danny is terrified 

No.49 Compared to No.50
Halloran acts out of concern, Jack acts out of defensiveness

No.54 Compared to No.53 
Halloran connects with the ranger, Jack connects with his rage-self. 

No.56 Compared to No.55
Halloran reconnects with the ranger (and gives the viewer a time stamp in reality), whereas Jack disconnects the radio (and perhaps, his last remaining tether to reality)

No.78 Compared to No.79  

This scene mimics the same movements of No.49, except this time Halloran talks to someone. He walks to and from the bar with the camera following him. 

Hallorans’ Condo Living Space

Halloran

There is no additional sound.