Ones To Watch #2 - Shutter Island/Ashecliffe

#2

Shutter Island/Ashecliffe (dir. Scorcese)

Expected Release Date: 9th October

Starring: Leonardo Di Caprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Patricia Clarkson, Jackie Earle Haley, Michelle Williams, Max Von Sydow & Emily Mortimer.

Studio: Paramount Pictures

Based in a psychiatric hospital on Shutter Island, the film revolves around the disappearance of murderous patient Rachel Solando (Mortimer). U.S. Marshals Teddy Daniels and Chuck Aule (Di Caprio and Ruffalo respectively).

To be fair, many will go and see this film simply due to it being a Scorcese’s latest. I am one of them. That cast will also bring people in. I am one of them.

As the film is #2 on my indulgent list, it is clearly anticipated to a gargantuan degree. Here I would rather look at where it could go wrong. As where it could go wrong is much more interesting to discuss. (Sigh… That cast! That director!)

HEADLINE! Scorcese/Di Caprio reteam AGAIN!

Now for many those are cursed words. I would just like to have you all know that there is at least one other film for these star-crossed lovers, The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt set for release in 2011.

Gangs Of New York, The Aviator, The Departed & Shutter Island.

The first two, in my view are bloated mess ups with enjoyable side-shows. Though perhaps that is more an indication of my misanthropic demeanor. Who knows. Daniel Day Lewis is the gold in Gangs and The Aviator, well The Aviator just gets worse every time I watch it (though Blanchett as Hepburn is off the cuff).

However, to rebuff my own hypothesis, Di Caprio’s own performances have mirrored his director’s in that The Departed consists of Scorcese’s strongest material since Casino, 11 years its senior. Di Caprio is tremendous, growing to become the film’s strongest link with every move he makes. Far more gritty and vulnerable at the same time compared to the man-child in Gangs.

I wasn’t really able to argue too many potential problems here (unlike my #1). At the very worst this will be enjoyable and at best essential viewing. Plus the appearances of Ben Kingsley, Jackie Earle Haley and the under-appreciated Mark Ruffalo give this one several merited bonus points.