10 Brilliantly Self-Indulgent Movie Moments From OTT Actors

3. Jack Nicholson - The Shining (1980)

The ShiningWarner Bros.For a director that was known for his perfectionism and restraint, it seems a little surprising that Stanley Kubrick let Jack Nicholson so far off the leash when shooting Jack Torrance's meltdown in The Shining. The move ultimately paid huge dividends as it led to one of the most memorable performances of Nicholson's distinguished career, and provided several iconic moments in the process. One of the greatest actors in the history of cinema, Nicholson goes all-out when the character finally snaps, injecting the slow-burning psychological horror movie with a huge burst of manic energy, full of deranged facial expressions and wild gesticulations. Whether it be quoting the three little pigs or mimicking the Johnny Carson show, his over-the-top portrayal of Jack Torrance's descent into madness infiltrated popular culture and is still widely quoted almost 35 years later.
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