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DVD (9)
A brilliantly constructed mystery.
It comes on strong, but in its bloody heart of hearts it's no more resonant than one of those old Vincent Price-Edgar Allan Poe contraptions - and less entertaining, too.
Umberto Eco wrote, "Two clichés make us laugh but a hundred clichés move us, because we sense dimly that the clichés are talking among themselves, celebrating a reunion." Shutter Island is that reunion, and that shrine.
Sorry, but the late reward hardly justifies all that punishment.
A movie that keeps you guessing to the end and then -- miraculously -- makes the guessing pay off.
What is real? What is delusion? What is montrous? What is decent? Shutter Island may not shatter the heart but these are gnawing achievements for a movie about madness and paranoia.
Story quibbling aside, Shutter Island is high on atmosphere, in large part due to the visuals, and the collaboration between Scorsese and (Cinematographer) Robert Richardson actually feels like the two men having a blast with their craft.
... Shutter Island, the fourth collaboration between Scorsese and DiCaprio, is the best work they have done together.
It's a strong and at times gripping offering from Hollywood's cosiest A-list filmmaker/star pairing.
Every detail of the production design is on point for maximum dread and psychic confusion.
As hard as Shutter Island works to convince you that is a dumb but flashy thriller when it is actually a fairly smart one, it may well be as hollow as any magic trick.
Scorsese and DiCaprio, in their fourth film together, again create an intense, provocative film-going experience, where the ride, accommodations, and destination are all first class.
Not the masterpiece I was hoping for...
Fortunately, the music chosen to underscore the ever-increasing sense of unease and mystery (artfully selected by Robbie Robertson) is a constant pleasure.
Shutter Island, is even less 'important' than The Departed. But Scorsese is clearly enjoying himself with this old-school throwback to thrillers past. And it's hard not to revel in it with him.
Despite its shortcomings Shutter Island is still miles better than the usual stuff we are spoon-fed nowadays. Welcome to the world of horror, Marty ... please stay a while and get comfortable.
When the big reveal hits, it's the first big yawn of the film, and the tension dies a sudden death as we wait impatiently for the film to tie up all of its loose ends.
Shutter Island, after an involving and entertaining beginning, settles for a victory by judges' decision rather than a final knockout.
Multiplex entertainment this distinctive and provocative doesn't come along every day: it's a head trip well worth taking. [Blu-ray]
Great behind the scenes extras (but sadly, no commentary).
The cinematic equivalent of a bait and switch scam.
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