1408 (2007)


Not all movies hit the same for all people.  1408, for instance, was a much-talked-about film when it came out in 2007, right in the middle of one of the worst decades for horror films.  Another in a long line of PG-13 fright flicks, this one was adapted from a Stephen King short story that had started out as an exercise on writing drafts as part of King's non-fiction book, On Writing, published in 2000.  The story came out as an audio file before that and eventually the written version appeared in the collection Everything's Eventual in 2002.  Keeping in mind that the story itself was an afterthought is key to approaching the movie. 

Mike Enslin (John Cusack) is a writer that specializes in paranormal travel guides.  A failed serious novelist with family issues, his books are successful but bring him no joy.  In fact, despite staying in numerous places purported to be haunted, Mike does not believe in the paranormal.  While writing a new book on haunted hotel rooms he receives a postcard featuring the Dolphin Hotel in New York City, with a warning not to enter room 1408. 

This piques his curiosity, especially when he is initially refused the right to stay in the room.  After his publisher pulls some legal strings they agree, but he is met by the hotel's manager Gerald Olin (Samuel L. Jackson), who tries to talk him out of it, as there have been a total of 52 deaths, and Olin is determined not to let anyone stay.  Despite this Mike won't relent and is allowed to enter.  After initially being underwhelmed numerous events begin to happen, with the room preying on Enslin's guilt and, as things ramp up, trying to encourage him to take the easy way out. 

This is one of those King stories I had to look up as I didn't remember a thing about it.  From the description it sounds like there was plenty for the committee that wrote the script to use.  Only, instead of using the idea of reality warping and melting, they went with the tired tropes of failed marriage and family tragedy and guilt.  There are lots of flashbacks, sequences that make little to no sense other than to show off some special effects and many decisions that just seem ridiculous.  Samuel L. Jackson is wasted, while Cusack seems completely unsuited for this role. 

Which makes the fact this was a hit and the critical acclaim that went with it baffling.  I am not surprised that this is now forgotten as it has no substance and no memorable scenes.  It is all Hollywood bluster, loud and showy and emotionally manipulative, right down to a dead kid.  Director Mikael Håfström uses a quick editing technique during conversations that does nothing to enhance the emotion but rather is annoying and hard on the eyes. 

Despite being miscast Cusack does what he can.  However, there is nothing he can do to save this from being just another in a long list of terrible PG-13 horror films from a time known as the nadir for the genre. 

1408 (2007)
Time: 104 minutes
Starring: John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, Mary McCormack
Director: Mikael Håfström

 

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