With Martin Scorsese at the helm, and his favorite actor Leo DiCaprio as the main protagonist, the film is bound to be top-notch. At times it is.
A creepy plot that makes "shutter" more like "shudder!" Real Hitchcock twists and turns, even a solid lighthouse scene, keep us guessing about the plot. Why does Leo keep having visions of his dead wife? What does the labyrinth of a mental hospital have to do with our hero? With all those lobotomized folks wandering around, where does Leo fit in?
Oh, did I forget to mention that SIR Ben Kingsley is outstanding as the main hospital doc? He is spot on as the shrink who might, or might not, be following the Hypocratic Oath. Michelle Williams is pretty as always, playing the role of Leo's wife...yet somehow, I always see Heath Ledger in her eyes, which are alreadly quite sad.
Lest we overlook the downsides, there are gratuitious scenes of gore. Yes, this is a thriller, and yes, Marty enjoys shocking us now and then. But I draw the line at repetitive scenes of death camps and dead children. Once is enough...point made. Then there are the endless movements through the labyrinth...again, some editing could have helped.
With Leo transforming, bit by bit, from FBI agent to possible insane asylum inmate, from seeker of justice to possible murderer, from devoted cop to possible avenger, all bets are off.
So my overall impression: A film well worth seeing. But be sure to suspend your disbelief.
Think Twilight Zone, Hitchcock, and Cops....neatly mingled in a Kafkaesque setting...and enjoy!
I very much agree with you, monsieur. I kept picturing "SHUDDER Island. This movie grew on me. I know of some who did not like the ending; I thought that's what made the film. (You did see this as his choosing the lobotomy, didn't you?)
ReplyDeleteIf anything, I was distracted with what I sensed was overt phony distractions, starting with the trailers. Fairly early on I figured out pieces, but never enough. I completely agree about the flashbacks - way too much and over saturated. It started to actually lose its impact for me.
However, once the story emerged, I found it profoundly moving. This man's self-imposed delusion and self-destruction and mental imprisonment were pathos-filled. The only villain was himself. I truly felt his anguish. That's Leo. He has grown into such a remarkable actor. Intriguing entertainment that leaves one thinking.