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U.S. Marshals Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule
(Mark Ruffalo) work the case. Sort of.
I knew I wanted to see Shutter Island (2010) even before it came out at
the theaters. Any movie involving detectives set in the 1950s automatically
brings out the writer in me, as that period is also the one in which my
private eye Pat Maginess lives and works. Another big reason is that it
once again combines the double-whammy punch of director Martin Scorsese
and actor Leonardo DiCaprio that we saw in The Departed (2006). Well I
missed the movie at the theater. But I did, finally, managed to catch it
on Pay-Per-View on cable.
As I mentioned talking about The Departed, DiCaprio amazes me these
days, reminding me of the young Orson Welles. In Shutter Island he plays
a U.S. Marshal who with his partner is sent to investigate the disappearance
of a patient at a mental institution on a remote island. Ben Kinsley plays
the chief psychiatrist in the movie, a man committed to abolishing the
lobotomy and shock treatment methods common to the day and to following
a regimine that cures the patient by exorcising their psychological demons
— with a little thorazine thrown in.
And it all starts out in a straightforward manner. Except for constant
rain and a very creep looking hospital, we get in the opening what we
might suspect of a normal detective movie. But things quickly change.
Besides Kingsley we are introduced to another psychiatrist, played by
Max von Syndow (good to see him again). The setting is a wonderfully
decorated room dating from the Civil War era, complete with high backed
chairs, fine dining crystal, and music on the phonograph. "Nice music"
DiCaprio's partner says. "Who is that, Brahms?" "No, it's Mahler" DiCaprio
replies — drawing out the "a" Boston style, Maaaahler.
This movie evolves, one might say morphs itself. Within just a few minutes
we are given something that would not be unusual in one of Robert Altman's
more unusual films. And then about an hour through the movie things turn
totally Kafka-esque as DiCaprio enters into the mysterious Building C.
I liked the movie, it was great watching DiCaprio act and I like the scenic
design/art direction. My problem was with the ending. I won't give a spoiler
here, but let's just say here that the ending reminded me very much of David
Lynch's Mulholland Dr. (2001). Which of course was kind of disappointing,
seeing one movie that carries a finale similar to another one. I don't think
I would have taken that turn myself. I would have found a different ending
given the excellent set-up.
In any case I hope DiCaprio makes more of these retro-based movies. He is
great with these type roles. And he also looks great in a raincoat and fedora.
Not my regular cup of tea, but sounds like I might enjoy this one. Don't mind looking at diCaprio, though he isn't Johnny. Which reminds me, I have about 5 free pay-per-view movies to watch before mid-August. Guess I'd better use those coupons before they expire. If I'm gone the rest of the day, I'll be watching a movie on Dish.
Enjoy! :yes:
DiCaprio surprised me as actor, especially after I watched Catch Me If You Can. Then, there was The Departed and Body of Lies. Women would probably not agree with me but I really thought he was not competent to be a good actor – I really didn`t like Titanic. But I am happy to say I was wrong :up:
I enjoyed The Departed very much, also because I think very highly of both Mark Wahlberg and Matt Damon. As to the latter, I have had this ambivalent feeling towards him. He has played the deceptor in quite a few films, and it has pretty much become his trademark, and it has always annoyed me when an actor with good potential gets stuck in one type. However, after having seen the Bourne trilogy I have completely changed my mind – Matt Damon is developing. DiCaprio on the other hand have played various types over the years. I loved him in The Aviator. I agree with you on the Orson Welles thing. DiCaprio even looks a bit like him.Shutter Island is on my list.PS: Recently purchased a straw fedora. As you may know we have had tropical weather in Denmark for almost two weeks now, so it is not healthy to leave the house without a hat.
@ Darko.@ Martin.I think we have pretty much the same opinion. When he was younger he was just a skinny heart-throb type. He did make some interesting movies, but never really got out of the youthful role type thing. And he hadn't matured as an actor, and at that point I wondered if he ever would.The first time I noticed that he had matured was in Blood Diamonds.Well, time will tell. I think he's on the right path now.
Haven't been a DiCaprio fan, either, but "Shutter Island" sounds like a really good movie.Will check it out.:up::heart:
Dante I thank you for the link. It didn't work so I changed the one you gave to the official movie website link. Thanks for visiting.
Dante writes:I see URLs are stripped when posting anonymously: dreamy was supposed to link toShutter Island.
Dante writes:DiCaprio is dreamy.