Comments on: Shutter Island

By: James Goux

James Goux — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:58:27 +0000

@Kris

It’s true that I indulged in a lot of hyperbole here. I don’t normally do so, but in this case, I really enjoyed the movie and found this to be the most accurate way of getting across how I felt about it. Thanks for reading, and your comments.

By: Kris

Kris — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 05:49:21 +0000

wow, your review is written like someone writing a term paper. Could you use a few more adjectives?? I hope you bought Scorcese dinner before embarking on that love fest. How about some real critical thinking?

By: James Goux

James Goux — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 20:36:55 +0000

Just realized, this is the 100th published article on Lock, Stock, and Two Film Geeks. Nice!

By: James Goux

James Goux — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:39:53 +0000

@Melanie

Don’t worry, I tried to make the article as complete as possible before that point.

By: James Goux

James Goux — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:36:11 +0000

@Heather

I love that helicopter shot of them driving towards the asylum, the music is really setting a beautiful ominous tone, and it ever so subtly sets up that someone is missing without saying it outright. You see the police searching through the fields and you know exactly what’s going on. I almost wish they didn’t mention a “missing patient” in the next scene and let you fill in the blanks on your own, but I suppose they had to be sure no viewers fell behind.

I was physically affected during the scene with Jackie Earl Haley in ward C, I started to feel very disturbed. But for much of the film I was mostly in awe of the execution.

Leo’s accent in this film did feel a little odd and comical at times, but for some reason I liked it anyway. And yes, I’ve been joking all week about being “dooly appoynted fedahrahl mahrshahls.”

@Mike

I can see the wife’s insanity being the obvious route, but for me, sometimes it’s better to maintain character logic than to jump out and try something fresh that doesn’t work. While I see your problem with the scene, I’m not sure I understand your solution. You want her to act normal?

By: Benn Hadland

Benn Hadland — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:37:43 +0000

You nailed this one on the head James. As usual, I agree.

By: Heather Navarro

Heather Navarro — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:50:41 +0000

*spoiler*
The only problem I think I had with this film, (and please don’t get excited, because it isn’t much), is the drive into the asylum. The score was irritating me, because they weren’t even in the damn place yet, and the music was so suspenseful.
Now that I read your review, I now understand why I was looking at the skyline in the first scene and thinking, “Hmmm…..there’s something awfully unsettling about that background.” I should have noticed it was the precursor Scorsese deliberately put there, rather than thinking it could possibly be the cheesy attributes of CGI.
I loved the flashback at the end. I love the use of color. I subconsciously knew where the movie was going, as you did, and I think the whole time I was praying that “Teddy” was actually right, rather than Andrew.
Unlike you, James, I was physically affected by this movie. But that’s not saying much, because I jolt in my seat while watching the cheesiest thrillers. I think “Shutter” is different though because of what I said to Fabian as we left the theater: “This movie makes me feel crazy.”
What’s funny is I usually always find something that annoys me about Leo; like for instance, in “The Departed,” I couldn’t handle the accents. But I couldn’t find anything annoying with Teddy Daniels.
And one last note: the correct spelling for marshal in this scenario is “mah-shal.”

By: Melanie

Melanie — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 06:27:06 +0000

Bummer couldn’t finish the article until I see the film. Tempting though but appreciate the spoiler warning.

By: Mike Lukenbill

Mike Lukenbill — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 03:43:48 +0000

What I mean is her character up until that point is how Ted perceives her. Using a flashback to show that she was actually a kook was all too obvious.

By: James Goux

James Goux — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 03:01:07 +0000

*SPOILER RELATED RESPONSE*

@Mike

The ending doesn’t feel as though it was come up with after the fact, it relates to many things presented throughout the film, as you said.

While I can easily see this being too much melodrama for someone (I was sure to use the word myself in my review), it was earned enough for me after the journey we’d taken (and let’s not forget this is a story of the CRIMINALLY INSANE), I’m not sure I understand what you’re suggesting as an alternative when you say “I think having the audience imagine Ted’s wife, who’s been presented to us as a tragic sweetheart, in the role of the crazy mom (Rachel?), might have been more effective than having her say cliche crazy bitch stuff in a lengthy flashback.”