Written by: Laeta Kalogridis (screenplay) and Dennis Lehane (novel)
Review by: Rick Romanowski
So the other night I had the extreme pleasure in seeing one of the most anticipated movies of 2010 and that was Shutter Island. The trailers made the movie look like it was a hardcore horror film and then the reviews started to surface saying how great it was and how amazing it was… but the twist, was lame. I went in ignoring all those reviews and I came out stunned and pleased.
It’s hard to tell what the movie is about but let me try to do the best I can: Set in 1954, the story follows two Federal Marshals Teddy Daniels and Chuck Aule who come to Shutter Island to help find a missing patient, Rachel. During their stay, Teddy discovers secrets about the institution that may point to mind control and experimentation in which all the guards, all the doctors, orderlies and nurses are all in on. Soon, Teddy begins to loose his mind as he uncovers the truth but things aren’t what they seem.
****POSSIBLE SPOILERS****
I could not find anything that I did not like about this movie. There were some scenes that didn’t make sense like when Chuck was trying to get the gun off his belt in the beginning or when George Noyce telling Teddy that he has no friends and that he beat him up in a previous life. But once you find out what really happened and who Teddy really is, than things begin to make sense. Some of the acting can be stale at points, but there is a reason behind it and here is where I think the actors did a good job with their roles; they are essentially playing a character that is acting like somebody else. It’s genius.
Shutter Island is also a great example of every little detail in the set, in the clothing and in the lighting has to do with the story. Pay attention to how Teddy and Chuck enter the island wearing suits but they end up wearing orderly uniforms midway into the film. Almost like it’s foreshadowing something. Look at the editing, the acting, the sound… everything is there for a reason.
I don’t want to say anymore otherwise I’ll really be giving away major spoilers but just pay real close attention to this film and let your imagination fly. This movie will mess with your mind and you will start to second-guess yourself. Also, don’t go in thinking that the twist will be the greatest twist in history, just go in with an open mind.
1 comments:
This was a twist movie. Twist movies are usually a crutch that film makers lean on early on in their careers which is why it's sad to see a master such as Martin Scorsese using it.
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