By I keep a notebook to write my thoughts as they happen while reviewing movies. I underlined this thought three
“This movie is beautiful.”
From the beginning to the end of the film, the cinematography of this movie was masterful. I could not take my eyes off of the strong visuals conjured by Scorsese. The film was mostly shot in Massachusetts and they could not have picked a better place to shoot the movie. The setting was picturesque.
As for the actual review, I watched Shutter Island today. The film was directed by Martin Scorsese and stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo as two U.S. Marshalls called to investigate the disappearance of an inmate named Rachel Solando.
Shutter Island is explained as a remote island that houses dangerous psychotic criminals. The prisoners are separated into three separate wards, Ward A for the males, Ward B for the females, and Ward C for the island’s most dangerous criminals.
From the first moment after arriving on the island, the viewer can tell it is an ominous place. The score for this movie w
I keep a notebook to write my thoughts as they happen while reviewing movies. I underlined this thought three times:
"This movie is beautiful."
From the beginning to the end of the film, the cinematography of this movie was masterful. I could not take my eyes off of the strong visuals conjured by Scorsese. The film was mostly shot in Massachusetts and they could not have picked a better place to shoot the movie. The setting was picturesque.
As for the actual review, I watched Shutter Island today. The film was directed by Martin Scorsese and stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo as two U.S. Marshalls called to investigate the disappearance of an inmate named Rachel Solando.
Shutter Island is explained as a remote island that houses dangerous psychotic criminals. The prisoners are separated into three separate wards, Ward A for the males, Ward B for the females, and Ward C for the island's most dangerous criminals.
From the first moment after arriving on the island, the viewer can tell it is an ominous place. The score for this movie was perfect as the music sets a great tone for the film. As the marshalls start their investigation, they are introduced to a Dr. Cawley (Ben Kingsley) who is to help them in any way that he can to find the missing woman.
Teddy (DiCaprio) and Chuck (Ruffalo) have a hard time gaining any leverage against the doctor as he constantly stymies their efforts to ascertain information regarding Rachel. Teddy suspects mischief afoot and wants to find out what is actually going on in the island, he suspects that all is not as it seems.
As the plot begins to unfold, Teddy has lucid dreams of his deceased wife Dolores (Michelle Williams) who tries to give him hints as to what he is looking for. Teddy confesses to Chuck that he requested this case specifically as the island houses the man who murdered his wife, Andrew Laeddis. This becomes especially important when Rachel is found and Teddy's purpose becomes clear to expose what is happening on the island and to find Laeddis.
At first, I was going to knock DiCaprio's performance, but as it turns out he gives a commanding performance as Teddy. He demands your attention through every part of the movie and is absolutely convincing as a marshall.
I was also going to knock Ruffalo as Chuck. I, at first, thought he was a throwaway character, but I was sorely mistaken. He gives a very subdued, but important performance and is absolutely critical to the plot development.
Kingsley is fantastic as Cawley. He plays the part of smarmy doctor well and never reveals what he's hiding until he absolutely has to.
Michelle Williams is haunting in her role as Dolores. She comes out of nowhere, yet leaves the longest lasting impression.
The overarching theme of psychology versus those who dismiss it gives great weight to the constant tension of the movie. The line between what is real and paranoia/delusions blurs quickly, yet it is not hard to keep up with. The pacing is excellent and the movie keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next.
The constant verbal jousting between DiCaprio and Kingsley is a delight to watch. We are allowed to witness two great actors match wits with one another throughout the movie and they deliver very commanding performances as a man of science and a man of law. Kingsley is cerebral, while DiCaprio is instinct.
I only had two real problems with the movie. The first is that I would only watch this movie once more. It lacks a certain rewatchability. My second problem is the resolution of the climax. There is a very tense buildup and I was a bit let down by its resolution.
Overall, it was a great experience and certainly something anyone who enjoys movies should watch.
I give this movie 4 sticks of butter.