Leonardo DiCaprio , Mark Ruffalo
Psychedelic Mystery
Tour of Horror & Suspense,
When I first started
posting reviews here umpteen aeons ago, I swore to myself that I wouldn't read
other people's reviews before contributing my own. Then I got too curious &
broke my own rule. Now I generally read one good review & almost all of the
really bad (one star) ones. It never ceases to amaze me that each group saw the
same film. Personally, I think a lot of it is sheer emotional reaction, but I
still find it informative.
Take SHUTTER ISLAND. I agree with the people who found DiCaprio's performance
less than stellar, but not too bad. There are two problems I've experienced
with his acting as seen in other films. He does this sort sneer, curling his mouth
up & then combines it with a sort of sorting look. I think it's supposed to
look "working class tough," but it lacks authenticity to me. [Tom
Cruse did the same sort of thing in WAR OF THE WORLDS, but then I don't think
many people expect authenticity from him.] The other thing about DeCaprio is
that he doesn't handle accents very well--actually, not well at all. Following
his outstanding portrayal of an autistic boy in WHAT'S EATING DELBERT GRAPE?
There are fans who do expect authenticity from him.
That aside, feminine eyes might glow in the scene where his character wears a
"wife-beater" (tank top, white cotton undershirt), clearly indicating
that the lad has been working out.
Well, that's about all the sex you'll get in the movie, but that's not so
bad...?
Being an unrepentant 60's Tripster, I liked the psychedelic overtones in the
film, as well as the cinematography, set design, use of color, the highly
atmospheric overall "feel" and, of course, the direction of an
American Master. The end left things unresolved, but it may always provide a
hook to watch this mysterious ISLAND again.
Oh yes, Ben Kingsley was appropriately diabolical looking & acting. Max von
Sydow was almost unrecognizable & diabolical as well.
Review: JEFarrow
Updated 8/10
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