Movies

Went to see Martin Scorsese's Shutter Island last night. I quite like Scorsese's work and was curious to see this film, especially due to the mixed reviews. I'm going to try to avoid spoilers!!

The film starts with a simple premise - US Marshall Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) is going to an island for the "criminally insane" to investigate the disappearance of a female patient. Initially the film seems very linear with jaded and stereotypical descriptions of mentally disorder offenders. As the movie progresses however, significant incongruities are displayed - odd lighting and weather, incomprehensible security e.g. manacled patients and unusual dialogue between DiCaprio and the lead psychiatrist played by Ben Kingsley. The movie becomes more disorganised and disjointed as the various plot twists and turns are played out. The acting is good and the film is beautifully shot, including some of Scorsese's trademark signs with very bright light and angelic-seeming blonde women who really aren't that perfect.

The film is a little too long and perhaps labours slightly at the end when explaining what is "really" happening. If you're looking for fluff or not in the mood to think then I wouldn't bother otherwise, great film for a dark, rainy night, 7-8/10.

The Rose