JohnDoe
Bryn
Brenton
Shutter Island (2010) - Trailer Included
Shutter Island - Available on DVD
Director: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Emily Mortimer, Ted Levine, Max Von Sydow, Patricia Clarkson, Elias Kosteas, Jackie Earle Hayley, Michelle Williams
“Which would be worse, to live as a monster or to die as a good man?” – Teddy Daniels
In his tenacious visualization of Dennis Lehane’s novel Shutter Island Director Martin Scorsese evokes an atmosphere of dread and ominous confusion that makes this nightmare thriller a flawed but evocative experience.
The year is 1954; US Marshall Teddy Daniels (Leonardo Dicaprio) and his new partner Chuck (Mark Ruffalo) are on a Boston harbor ferry bound for Ashecliff Hospital. An Alcatraz for the criminally insane located on the foreboding Shutter Island.
Assigned to investigate the mysterious disappearance of Rachel Solando, a violent patient who murdered her 3 children and has now performed Houdini like escape from her heavily guarded cell.
“We don't know how she got out of her room. It's as if she evaporated, straight through the walls.” – Dr Cawley
From the moment Teddy and Chuck arrive nothing is as it seems and a spiral of riddles motivates an obsessive hunt for the truth. The clues lead to more questions and speculation about human experiments increases their resolve.
Gradually taking a personal toll on Teddy, demons from his past begin to dominate his reality as the environment disintegrates sanity and morph the case.
“You're as violent as they come. I know. because I'm as violent as they come. Don't embarrass yourself by denying your own blood lust, son. Don't embarrass me. If the constraints of society were removed, and I was all that stood between you and a meal, you'd crack my skull with a rock and eat my meaty parts." - Warden
Trenchcoats and Fedora's in motion
John Doe Says:
The storm clouds move in for permanent mood on Shutter Island
Running a little too long and working with a ludicrous conceit Scorsese still manages to grab his audience. Authentically recreating the cold war era with a throwback, water damaged Technicolor palette and attention to costumes and props. Robert Richardson’s (Natural Born Killers, Kill Bill) gloomy cinematography, Dante Ferrenti’s (Titus, The Name of the Rose) jagged production design and an anxiety building musical score drag us into the Directors psychological maze.
The Director at work with his cast.
Thanks to regular editor Thelma Schoonmaker’s (Goodfellas, Raging Bull) assembling of images there is never any unintentional confusion. Although everything is spelled out on the surface the nuances mean that this is a picture that by the final credits has managed to entertain.
Laeta Kalogridis’ (Nightwatch) screenplay suffers from the same problems that were present in the novel. Showing its hand at around the halfway mark neutralizes the twists and removes intrigue. Thankfully the calculated structure sustains curiosity about the plots deeper purpose. The glorious final line compensates for the clichéd conclusion with its rich ambiguity worthy of post screening analysis. The conspiratorial maguffins that reflect 1950's sensibilities also enhance the pacing and engage.
The teacher and the student seem to have a mutually beneficial relationship.
A master of understated presence, Mark Ruffalo (Zodiac, You Can Count On Me) quietly fills out the essential for narrative points Chuck with sly glimpses and in the moment mannerisms.
The respected thespian skills of Ben Kingsley (Sexy Beast, Gandhi) serve the role as head shrink at the facility with intuitive ease. From the instant Dr John Cawley appears onscreen he is the one character that seems to know all the answers despite dialogue to the contrary.
Jackie Earle Hayley is caged mania,
For those who have not seen the film before John Doe implores you to stop reading because he is about to give away the entire show.
JD enjoyed the film due to Scorsese's flair rising above the cliched premise and strong performances that immerse.Still it is a film with shrouded faults hidden by a talented eye.
Not as plausible as David Fincher’s The Game, the finale of the film is a pill of disbelief that we are forced to swallow. Even though research into the era when invasive surgical procedures were being questioned and new methods of treatment for the mentally challenged were being developed reveals that some truly ridiculous ideas through modern eyes were used to eliminate doubt. That aside, it is the final question, that has JD still pondering. Was Teddy cured in the end and made a conscious decision to die “a good man” or had he regressed and was completely unaware he was ‘living as a monster”?
Trailer for Shutter Island - Warning Spoilers.
I think this about sums it up, JD. To me, this suffered from a slightly clunky adaptation - too many times it came to halt to get its exposition on. Still, stylish and if you want anybody doing your genre film, it's Scorsese.
Horrorphile
I agree, over long, but still very entertaining.
I too ponder over the end, but I suppose that's the point, is it not? Leaving the audience as fractured as the protagonist ... ?
Horrorphile
Screen Adventure
here's my review
(you put Ralph Richarson - it's Robert)
Film & TV on DVD
I actually read the book a few years ago and was not overly enamored with it. I think the movie suffers from much the same flaws as the book, it could be argued he was sticking too closely to the source.
Still an enjoyable film to watch if for no other reason than the superbly controlled atmosphere.
Film & TV on DVD
Not only is that ambiguity the point, but also in my eyes elevates the film above its station.
So what do you think, was it a conscious decision by Teddy?
Film & TV on DVD
Must have been a Freudian slip, I have coincidentally watched a few Ralph Richardson films (Our Man in Havana, Khartoum) recently so he is in mind.
I wonder if Robert is related to Ralph?
20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic
Film & TV on DVD
I read the book a few years back too, but found it a little week when compared to the likes of Mystic River and Gone Baby Gone.
Certainly knowing the twists before they arrive allows for viewing that spots the sly clues on the first screening.
I was still quiet "surprised" by how well Scorsese visualized many ideas that were only written in Teddy's head in the novel.