38/365 Shutter Island

Starring: Leo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Sir Ben Kingsley

Genre: Suspense Drama

Discovery: Trip to movie theater, this was my pick.

Summary: Detectives Teddy Daniels (Leo DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo) are sent to Shutter Island in order to investigate a missing persons case at a mental hospital run by Dr. Cawley (Ben Kingsley).  As they pursue their case, a deeper plot starts unravelling.  Is this hospital what it says or is it a front for a sinister plot to control the patients for selfish gains?

First Glance: I will say this bold and outright.  This movie is a total treat in cinematography-land.  The DP Robert Richardson should get massive props for making this film a big part of what it is.  A visual delight.  It’s moody, dark, devious, and mysterious.  (Behind the scenes girl says: His idea to backlight the cigarette smoke is a favorite trick of mine, creates such an interesting dimension to a mundane activity.  Thanks to the gaffer for making that happen & those electrics who do the grunt work!)

Deeper Look: To gush about how I love this movie would not even begin to tell just what I find so great.  A huge part of it is that:  I love mysteries.  I like drama.  I like costumes.  I like period pieces.  I like rain.  I like old buildings.  I like great acting. This movie played to all those ideas.  It brought me to the child-like wonder that I watch movies with when I get really involved.  It doesn’t happen every time, so when it does I take notice.  Does that mean I think this is a movie coup with no flaws? No. It has a few.  None that I care to highlight.  I would rather you watch for yourself and draw your own conclusions.  You may just love it like I do because it’s a darn good movie.

What I Took Away from this Movie: Scorcese is a master storyteller (and no, i don’t love all his movies).

Final Glimpse: This review took me over a week to write because I was really unsure that of how to share just why I loved this film so much.  It’s not perfect but I did not want it to end.