Ryan McNeil
“Do you really want to know?”
We’ve all heard those six words at some point, and in all of us it evokes a certain unease. It answers a question with a question, and tells us that we’re not going like the truth. That’s the feeling that lingers over much of SHUTTER ISLAND…that every single answer we get in this mystery will lead to further – and more unsettling – questions.
US Marshals Teddy Daniels (Leo DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo) are dispatched to Shutter Island to investigate the disappearance of a patient from a federal hospital for the criminally insane. The facility’s chief administrator, Dr. John Cawley (Ben Kingsley) seems as perplexed as the marshals are, wondering how in the world its possible for a patient to get away from such tight security. However, he is also quietly worried since there are few safe places on Shutter Island to hide…so the longer the patient is missing, the more likely it is that the patient is dead.
As Daniels heads the investigation, he begins to fight off flashbacks of traumatic moments in his own past. He fights off memories of a liberating the Dachau concentration camp during World War II. He also has to contend with visions of his dead wife Dolores (Michelle Williams). She was killed when their apartment was burnt down by an arsonist – who just so happens to have been committed to Shutter Island. She still haunts his quiet moments, and seems intent on warning him to let it all go. Leaving us to wonder…let what go?
As a vicious storm moves into the island, making outside communication and departure impossibilities, Daniels and Aule start digging deeper into the goings on of Shutter Island. Unfortunately, every answer they get leads to six more questions, each more unsettling than the last.
But it’s at this crossroads that the story really makes its mark. DiCaprio wears our tension and our fears on his face as he tries to put this puzzle together (and we get a good look at that face since he’s in every single scene). We get prodded and poked with various faces giving us various explanations for what’s going on, and much like Leo, we’re left in a sad confusion as to which story to believe. After all, when the logic is being given to you by patients in a mental hospital…it leaves you in a quandary about which nut in the nut jar you think is being the least nutty.
Martin Scorsese hasn’t made this sort of movie in a while. It echoes back to CAPE FEAR and BRINGING OUT THE DEAD, neither of which are the sorts of titles people bring up first when talking about the man’s greatest films. That’s not to say that this isn’t a great Scorsese film. It’s a complete vision, and yanks you out of the reality you know for over two hours. It is filled with moments of deep despair, all of which are shown with gothic elegance. In a way, it’s fitting that it’s release date was pushed to this late winter slot since the film echoes the time of year…a desire to find the promise of spring amongst the last throes of cold darkness.
Occasionally, I end up liking a movie that a lot of people hate…and in some ways I wonder if SHUTTER ISLAND is that sort of film. It’s not a “Leo Movie”, though Leo is in it. It’s not a “Scary Movie”, though there are moments of true terror. So if that’s what you’re looking for, move on. However, if you feel like striking a match and trying to make sense out of the whispers in the darkness, then SHUTTER ISLAND is the movie for you. Just be careful which of those whispers you decide to believe.
I would like to hear your discussion of this movie in your next podcast.
I am so excited to see this! Is winter over or what?
I really, really liked this movie. I was still thinking about it when I woke up this morning, and then again reading your review. The more I think about it, the more I want to see it again. And read the book. And then see it again.
It's rare, for me, to have a story so convoluted and filled with riddles to come around at the end and have it force my brain to snap all of the pieces into place…it reminds me of two other movies in particular…that I won't list here lest they give anything away. I'll tell you at work tomorrow. 😉
I think I'd give this a three and a half, or three and a quarter, just because I think I gave Book of Eli a three, and I liked this one better! lol
– Suzie
Can't wait to hear your podcast. I was simply enamored by the mystery. It was so elegantly drawn together in the end, and it felt like such a mess of confusion throughout.
I am with on this one. I loved it. Hitchcock would have been proud.
@ Tom… It's up – go listen.
@ Castor… It was pretty darned sunny here in town this weekend. Winter might well be over after all!
@ Suzie… Yeah, I'm loving it more and more as I think back on it, and especially after recording the podcast of it. (Curious to hear what flick it reminds you of though!)
Suffice to say, there wasn't a better movie I could have followed THE WOLFMAN with!
@ Heather… It's in the sidebar, and the full post for it is going up in the morning. Speaking of podcasts – did you get my email about perhaps joining me for one in the next few months?
Great review Mad Hatter! 🙂
No I didn't get your email. Did you send it to the yahoo? I'm terrible at check that account now. I will investigate immediately as I of course am interested! I used to write for another site and we did weekly podcasts. I miss it!
Hmmm. I checked all my emails and I found nothing? You can reach me at moviemobsters@gmail for sure, I promise!
"SHUTTER ISLAND is a dark descent into the human psyche, but not one that seems concerned with the actual weight of a true psychological thriller. It's clear early on that things aren't always what they seem, and that all the audience can do is continue further down the spiral.
Nice! And I also love the suggestion that it's a despair-laden gothic thriller, and that you seem to be implying that it's a stellar effort by the master, which I do believe it is. The claustrophobic aspects brought on by the raging storm reminds me of Stanley Kubrick's THE SHINING, where the characters are unable to leave the Outlook, and some of the weather-related conflicts are externalized as they are in SHUTTER ISLAND. But as I mentioned elsewhere there are some delicious set pieces set in a cave, in a lighthouse, in a cemetery burial vault, in a cafeteria and in a study that showcase some riveting drama and a breathtaking visual design. With all that and one of Di Caprio's best performances, and great work by Clarkson, Williams, Haley et al, not to mention a buffo ending (which, not having read the novel, I did NOT see coming) and you can understand why I'm just not listening to those who have some issues. I will NOT compromise this great entertainment by issuing complaints that don't amount to a hill of beans.
Terrific work here Hatter! Kudos.
@ Dreher… Thanks for reading.
@ Heather… I re-sent my message to your moviemobsters email, should be there now.
@ Sam… Damn – your comment feels a lot deeper than half of my review! Thanks for that. You're right, it's very clear that a lot of effort has been put into the actual production of this film, and that has given the audience so many individual moments to take away.
It could have been played as a straight up mind-fuck, but it's too concerned with making a concerted effort visually, musically, and performance wise to lay down something so simple.
Thanks for reading (and for listening to the podcast).
Nice review, sir. Doesn't hurt that I totally agree with you.
Saw this film over a week ago and I'm still thinking about it – much like I did after seeing "Bringing Out the Dead" years ago.
Found your review from the IMDB boards.
I think you've really captured the essence of this movie…especially the gothic despair element and how Leo wears his/our emotions (not just on his face…his body language alters slightly through the film).
I had to chuckle at your definition of 'pulp fiction'. "a storm is coming, the ferry can't leave the island, the phones are down, and the power goes out." Yeah…it's all in there!
It was a deeply affecting movie to me personally, and I enjoyed reading the thoughts of someone else who saw it in a very similar way.
Take care,
Craig