Shutter Island
20 Feb
Those of you who know me also know that I love movies. I love turning off my brain for two hours and going on a cinematic adventure. I think it’s safe to say that everyone has favorite actors and directors, and when I heard that two of my favorites were coming together (again) for a psychological thriller, I was on board from the word “go.”
Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese are a pretty reliable pair. Together, they’ve made Gangs of New York (2002), The Aviator (2004), and The Departed (2006), which won four Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. They have obviously built a strong working relationship and it shows here, in Shutter Island.
This is the third film adaptation of a novel by Dennis Lehane, who also wrote Mystic River and Gone Baby Gone. The year is 1954, two U.S. Marshals are assigned to Shutter Island, an institution for the criminally insane, to investigate the seemingly impossible disappearance of a woman who killed her three children. Of course, once they arrive they quickly realize that things aren’t exactly what they seem to be. And that’s all I’m going to tell you about the story. The less you know, the better. I’m a huge fan of psychological thrillers, and this one is as good as they come. I read the novel about three months ago, and the film is almost a direct translation of the book. In fact, the movie goes into more detail regarding the characters, their history, and the motivations that drive their actions.
The film moves at a deliberately slow pace because there are a lot of layers to be uncovered. For me, the slow pace just helped build tension and further creep me out. From the first frame of the movie you can tell that Scorsese is drawing inspiration from a long history of famous filmmakers. I read somewhere that he made the cast and crew watch some classic movies like The Shining and Vertigo. You can clearly see that inspiration on the screen. From the camera angles to the music, to an award-worthy performance by DiCaprio, this movie is an instant classic.
I’ve been thinking about the movie a lot lately, and I am really looking forward to seeing it again. I think it will hold up well to repeat viewings. If you’re planning on seeing a movie this weekend, definitely check out Shutter Island.
My score: A
Great review! I haven’t seen the movie, yet, but I absolutely will now that you have given it your blessing! I was worried that they might stray from the book too much. Apparently they did not.
The movie was incredible. A few of the reviews say it was too long or that it was too slow…forget that. The movie was exactly what it needed to be to make it the movie that it is. In fact, I found that the build up is what hooked me. There was something about the cinematography coupled with the music that really reeled me in and took me for a ride. The acting was phenomenal and the story was incredible. Adjectives.
This movie sounds amazing. I’m in line to borrow the book from Dad and I can’t wait. Do you think I should read it first, then see the movie or does it not matter??
I think you should see the movie first, but maybe that’s just me. I loved it but I think I would have liked it even more if I didn’t know what was going to happen.
I loved it! I agree completely about the tension. I kept my scarf up by my eyes throughout most of the movie. It draws you in so much and you start questioning everything!! I will definitely buy this one!