I Know I'm Not Crazy
Movie:
Shutter Island
Date Posted:
Mar 10, 2010
Critic Rating:
10/10
Director:
Martin Scorsese
Release Date:
Feb 19, 2010
Review:
SHUTTER ISLAND
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Written by Laeta Kalogridis
Produced by Brad Fischer, Mike Medavoy, Arnold Messer, and Martin Scorsese
Based on the novel, “Shutter Island”, by Dennis Lehane
Director of Photography – Robert Richardson
Music Supervisor – Robbie Robertson
Distributed by Paramount Pictures and Sony Pictures Releasing International
Starring:
Leonardo DiCaprio
Mark Ruffalo
Ben Kingsley
Max Von Sydow
Also Starring:
Michelle Williams
Emily Mortimer
Patricia Clarkson
Jackie Earl Haley
Elias Koteas
Believe None of What You Hear…
I am going to take you all back…back to 1997. I was a senior in high school, 17 years old, and eager to graduate. There was this little movie, starring this okay actor that had throngs of teenage girls willing throw their undies, and their virginities, as near and close to this guy as possible.
The film broke records, he became an overnight sensation, and everyone, including me, watched closely as to what his next film would be. His next film was not the critical and commercial phenomenon that the previous had been but with his choice the guy sent a message… no bullshit pretty boy roles for him. More than just a cute face and a hot bod with a propensity for lavish sets and out-of-this-world paychecks, said actor went against type and forged his own way through the treacherous terrain of Hollywood and emerged, 13 years later, as a truly talented and versatile thespian very serious about his craft and the films he picks. Can you guess who I’m talking about?
Shutter Island is a film that was originally supposed to be released in October 2009 but was pushed back so that it would not get lost in the holiday movie madness. Usually the decision to a delay the release of a film is a sign of trouble but in this case the decision was sound
Shutter Island is the story of Federal Marshall Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio), who travels to Shutter Island, the location of Ashecliff Hospital, an institution for the criminally insane, in search of a missing patient, Rachel, played by Emily Mortimer. He is accompanied by his new partner Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo). From the beginning something is very peculiar.
As the Ferry moves across the choppy water the island looms in the mist. The island is large, foreboding, dark, and sinister. Daniels and Aule arrive on the eve of an incredible storm which means whatever happens they will not be able to leave the island.
As soon as Daniels and Aule arrive on the island they are met by Deputy Warden McPhearson (John Carroll Lynch) and taken to meet the chief psychiatrist, Dr. Crawley, ominously played by Ben Kingsley. The more Daniels and Aule investigate the more it becomes apparent that everyone who works for the hospital is hiding something. Even the patients seem to be bursting at the seams desperate to reveal the big secret. Dr. Crawley and Dr. Naehring, played by Max Von Sydow, refuse to supply Daniels with the information he needs to perform a proper investigation.
To make the plot thicker, Daniels is dealing with the sudden death of his beloved wife, Dolores, played by Michelle Williams. Daniels is also a World War II veteran who has violent flash-backs of his time at a Nazi death camp. And Daniels appears to have an ulterior motive of his own. The deeper you get into the movie the more schizophrenic it becomes.
One moment you think you’re watching a story then as you immerse yourself in that story you begin see that there is another story within the story you are watching and then another behind that one, and then another on the side making Shutter Island a movie with multiple personalities thus the ultimate mind-fuck/ psychological thriller.
The wonderful thing about this movie is, as you watch the film, there are a million questions running through you mind like: What happened to Rachel? How did she manage to escape the confines of her room and slip past guards and hospital personnel? Why is Dr. Crawley being so secretive? Who is patient 67? What is in the light house? And why is their a possible Nazi running the institution? And who and what is in Area C?
Oh, I’m dying to tell you everything but I want you to see this movie. It’s not what you think it is and the sub-plots are just as engaging as the main plot. Martin Scorsese proves why he is one of the most revered film directors in history.
The special effects are used specifically to move the story and prove to be visually arresting not mind numbing and over-done. The cinematography is excellent and I’m going to make an early Oscar prediction for D of P Robert Richardson. Robert Richardson manipulates the color to Scorsese’s advantage. He uses bright bold colors along with extreme flashes of white light for the dream sequences. The non-dream parts are more subdued. But when the two types of photography began to bleed into each other you ask yourself what is dream and what is real.
The acting is excellent. Leonardo DiCaprio is amazing. The DiCaprio Socrsese collaboration has matured into a cinematic dynamic duo. DiCaprio gives the character of Teddy Daniels heart and soul and he speaks his lines with the veracity of a panther. Those bright blue eyes are on fire. Sir Ben Kingsley is also excellent as Dr. Crawley and Max Von Sydow exudes creepiness. Mark Ruffalo proves to be a talented character actor, and… everyone in this movie is great.
Dennis Lehane is probably the luckiest author ever. He’s been fortunate enough to have his novels adapted by talented filmmakers. And while we are on the subject of adaptation, screenwriter Laeta Kalogridis brings to life a nearly impossible screen adaptation. One piece of bad dialogue, one incoherent scene, could’ve derailed the entire picture.
And what an incredible film score!!! Music supervisor Robbie Robertson gathers the crème-de-la-crème of classical music cues such as Fog Tropes by Ingram Marshall, Symphony No. 3: Passacaglia – Allegro Moderato by Krzysztof Penderecki, Hommage a John Cage by Nam June Paik, and Lontano by Gyorgy Ligeti.
The artistry of the film is apparent. The way in which the filmmakers take Shutter Island, a fine glass figurine, and smash it into several pieces only to bring it all together in the end as if the figurine had never been broken, is a true testament in the power of cinema and the power of having a story told by a writer, director, actors, etc, who care.
Quote of the Day
"If one is not enjoying one's present, there isn't a great deal to suggest that the future should be any better." -George
A Single Man