Truth of Shutter Island: Scorsese's newest cinematic masterpiece
By SHAWN HUGHES
Issue date: 3/4/10 Section: Entertainment
On Feb. 19, director Martin Scorsese (Taxi Driver, Gangs of New York) followed up his first best directing Oscar from The Departed with what can arguably be considered the best directing job of his illustrious career. Scorsese's latest film is titled Shutter Island and is an incredibly dark film that will keep viewers on the edges of their seats, and leave many filmgoers with their heads spinning.
Starring in this dark psychological film is Leonardo DiCaprio (Titanic, The Departed), playing U.S. Marshall Teddy Daniels. Set 1954, Daniels travels to Shutter Island, a mental hospital for the mentally unstable that have committed serious crimes such as mass murder. He arrives with a new partner, Chuck Aule, played by Mark Ruffalo (Where the Wild Things Are, Collateral), to investigate the disappearance of one of the prisoners named Rachel who was committed for murdering her three children in cold blood. Throughout the investigation, the members of the hospital seem to be hiding facts and information from the detectives about what actually occurs at the hospital. For every question the Marshalls ask, the environment and plot grow darker, more depraved and far more desperate as a missing prisoner seems to be the least of their concerns. Storms approach as Teddy continually finds more questions and reasons to doubt the integrity of the facility. He struggles with his emotions and experiences, from tragedies with family to dark and painful experiences he suffered during the liberation of concentration camps in World War II.
Each scene is fully controlled and presented in perfect ways to convey the direction of the film and to continually build the tension as the film draws towards climax and conclusion. DiCaprio is starring in his fourth Scorsese film since 2002 and has yet to disappoint in any of the films, which include Gangs of New York, Aviator, The Departed and now Shutter Island. DiCaprio has become an increasingly talented actor with each film and drives Shutter Island to greatness in one of his best performances.
This film is tremendous, but many will leave the movie in shock and disappointment, as it is not the horror film that was widely anticipated, but rather a piece that truly dives into the darkest depths of the human psyche. According to boxofficemojo.com, this movie has earned more than $75.5 million in the first 10 days of release. While the typical moviegoers will give this film shaky review because of the complete darkness of the setting, it is still a great production, and one of the best this decade.
It is important to realize that this movie will not be an every person type of movie, but it is worth a watch. There was no aspect of the film that needed to be changed and it is worthy of a 10 out of 10 rating. The movie is just over two hours long and seems to continue forever, but the filmmaking leaves the viewer with a dropped jaw.
Starring in this dark psychological film is Leonardo DiCaprio (Titanic, The Departed), playing U.S. Marshall Teddy Daniels. Set 1954, Daniels travels to Shutter Island, a mental hospital for the mentally unstable that have committed serious crimes such as mass murder. He arrives with a new partner, Chuck Aule, played by Mark Ruffalo (Where the Wild Things Are, Collateral), to investigate the disappearance of one of the prisoners named Rachel who was committed for murdering her three children in cold blood. Throughout the investigation, the members of the hospital seem to be hiding facts and information from the detectives about what actually occurs at the hospital. For every question the Marshalls ask, the environment and plot grow darker, more depraved and far more desperate as a missing prisoner seems to be the least of their concerns. Storms approach as Teddy continually finds more questions and reasons to doubt the integrity of the facility. He struggles with his emotions and experiences, from tragedies with family to dark and painful experiences he suffered during the liberation of concentration camps in World War II.
Each scene is fully controlled and presented in perfect ways to convey the direction of the film and to continually build the tension as the film draws towards climax and conclusion. DiCaprio is starring in his fourth Scorsese film since 2002 and has yet to disappoint in any of the films, which include Gangs of New York, Aviator, The Departed and now Shutter Island. DiCaprio has become an increasingly talented actor with each film and drives Shutter Island to greatness in one of his best performances.
This film is tremendous, but many will leave the movie in shock and disappointment, as it is not the horror film that was widely anticipated, but rather a piece that truly dives into the darkest depths of the human psyche. According to boxofficemojo.com, this movie has earned more than $75.5 million in the first 10 days of release. While the typical moviegoers will give this film shaky review because of the complete darkness of the setting, it is still a great production, and one of the best this decade.
It is important to realize that this movie will not be an every person type of movie, but it is worth a watch. There was no aspect of the film that needed to be changed and it is worthy of a 10 out of 10 rating. The movie is just over two hours long and seems to continue forever, but the filmmaking leaves the viewer with a dropped jaw.
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Custom Thesis
posted 4/09/10 @ 4:30 AM CST
I must admit, great stuff for students!
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