Shutter Island (6/8/2010)

Rated R for disturbing violent content, language and some nudity.

Directed by Martin Scorsese (Goodfellas, Casino, The Departed and Gangs of New York)

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo and
Ben Kingsley

TODD’S WORD: Just when I think he is done, Martin Scorsese pulls me back in.

JONATHAN’S WORD: I agree with you…using a Coppola film quote over a Scorsese quote.

TODD’S WORD: Sigh. Let’s talk about this film for a moment, shall we?

Synopsis:
It's 1954, and up-and-coming U.S. marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) is assigned to investigate the disappearance of a patient from Boston's Shutter Island Ashecliffe Hospital. He's been pushing for an assignment on the island for personal reasons, but before long he wonders whether he hasn't been brought there as part of a twisted plot by hospital doctors whose radical treatments range from unethical to illegal to downright sinister. Teddy's shrewd investigating skills soon provide a promising lead, but the hospital refuses him access to records he suspects would break the case wide open. As a hurricane cuts off communication with the mainland, more dangerous criminals “escape” in the confusion, and the puzzling, improbable clues multiply, Teddy begins to doubt everything – his memory, his partner, even his own sanity.

TODD’S WORD: Martin Scorsese has directed some pretty fantastic films.

JONATHAN’S WORD: What, Last Temptation of Christ?

TODD’S WORD: Are you serious? Films like Goodfellas, Casino, The Departed and Gangs of New York are classics.

JONATHAN’S WORD: Good film, boring film, decent film, boring film.

TODD’S WORD: Are you serious?

JONATHAN’S WORD: I’ve never liked the guy’s films. Goodfellas was good. But DeNiro’s own film A Bronx Tale is twice the film. Raging Bull was good. But I’ll be honest. Scorsese is really hit and miss for me.

TODD’S WORD: Anyway, Shutter Island was more Stephen King or M. Night Shyamalan than Scorsese.

JONATHAN’S WORD: Oh…please don’t use M. Night’s name in vain. M. Night’s films are sooooo much better.

TODD’S WORD: I’m just saying that this was more of a thriller than his typical film. The “Creep Factor” was off the chart and the twists and turns were enough to make me want to start the movie over and watch the entire thing again (if you don’t feel that way afterwards…watch the behind the scenes documentary).

JONATHAN’S WORD: I’ve had that with some films. Most recently, The Book of Eli. But I didn’t have that with Shudder Island. It was entertaining and a little spooky at times. I probably would even say I enjoyed it. But I ain’t raving about it.

TODD’S WORD: I’ve never been a huge fan of Leo, but I can no longer deny he is every bit deserving of his A-list status. He runs the gambit of every emotion and this is one more of the more believable roles I’ve seen in a “scary” movie in a long time.

JONATHAN’S WORD: He’s the same in every film. He’s Costner. He’s good in some films, but he has the range of a Red Rider BB-gun.

TODD’S WORD: Without a doubt the rest of the cast followed his lead. Ben Kingsley is completely creepy one minute and soft and comforting the next. And because I don’t want to spoil it for you, I won’t say why Mark Ruffalo is the star of the show…just trust me on this one.

JONATHAN’S WORD: I like Ruffalo a lot. The supporting cast was good in this film.

TODD’S WORD: Finally I want to mention that I rarely notice camera angles or the artistry of cinematography, but I loved both in Shutter Island.

JONATHAN’S WORD: Scorsese definitely is respected in the film community for his creativity behind the camera.

TODD’S WORD: This one had it all for me, great cast, great story, great director, great twists…I loved it. “Theater Worthy” for sure.

JONATHAN’S WORD: For me it’s just a “Rental.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
This isn’t for kids. There’s no sex or female nudity. The nudity in the rating is a quick shot of some creepy male inmates. But for students who are easily spooked or “creeped out,” it’s a definite no. There are some very disturbing images and this is a film that will stick with you a day or two as you rerun different scenes through your head.

Side Note:
As said above, we don’t recommend your kids see this film. But on the occasion that they actually have already seen it, you may want to dialogue about the film with them. These questions below may be a help to you.

Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):

1. What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
2. How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
3. How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?