Shutter Island

[ashikkerib]

I thought the performances were great, though I wouldn't highlight Leo DiCaprio in this role, since he's pretty much doing the same thing throughout. Both Ben Kingsley and Mark Ruffalo pull off a pretty amazing balancing act between sympathy and menace that's held throughout the whole movie. The twist ending didn't bother me - it unfolds so gradually throughout the movie you pretty much figure it out before the 'a-ha' moment. I mostly just get annoyed that I can't openly discuss it. I think I'd enjoy it more a second time, knowing full well what was going on from the get-go.

There were more than a few things that bothered me about this movie. For one thing, all the talkative conspiracy theory stuff is so hard to hear if you've known people who believe in similar stuff. I'm thinking of the scene in the cave, in particular. I can't believe Scorsese let that go on for so long.

Except for some of the dream sequences, really enjoyed the imagery. Nice to see something that impressionistic and frankly weird in a mainstream movie. It's generally successful in creating an atmosphere reminiscent of Hitchcock, echoes of David Lynch. Though David Lynch has been at this game longer, and most of his movies are slightly more successful than this one.