Hitchcock and Lovecraft fans rejoice!

Rating: 9/10 (24 July 2010)

If you are looking for that classic Scorsese film in the vain of Goodfellows, Raging Bull, or Casino this is not it. Instead what you will find is a Hitchcockian/ Lovecraftesque superb psycho-horror drama that stands as a testament to the brilliance and flexibility of Martin Scorsese.
I will not go into the Hitchcock parallels, I believe they are fairly obvious, but let me just say that this movie is atmospheric. Let me say that again, Atmospheric! The location, sets, and everything about the island makes one feel as if they were transported directly into a Lovecraft story. No, Cthulu does not leap out of the misty waters surrounding the island, but that eerie atmosphere of Arkham is definitely felt throughout this movie. That fine line between sanity and insanity that is found in so many Lovecraft stories is also found in this film. I realize that Lovecraft did not write this story, but Scorsese portrays that unsettling Lovecraft vibe better than any other filmmaker, even those who have adapted Lovecraft stories to film.
This film does not try to outsmart you in a way similar to the Sixth Sense. Instead, it gives many clues as to what is actually going on. You may feel that you have it figured out, and you probably have, however, you continually do not want to believe what you think you know is true. That is where this movie shines. One becomes so immersed into Leo DiCaprio's character Teddy, that you refuse to see anything through anyone else's eyes except Teddy's, even though you are given opportunities to do so. Therefore, two or three viewings may be required to fully appreciate the genius of this film - and trust me, it's worth it. One might find Leo's portrayal of Teddy slightly awkward in the beginning, but trust me, the genius of this portrayal will be realized (and I'm normally not the biggest Leo fan, Titanic - Pooh!).
I also love the ending of this film. It does not end in a confusing hail of bullets or an excessive Hollywood bloodbath, but rather ends in an intense psychological showdown rarely present in modern major studio produced films. This film is a breath of fresh air in an era Hollywood excess CGI inspired blockbuster trash and, for the most part, equally bad independent films. I must admit that I am confused as to why this movie has received so many bad reviews; it would appear the you either love it or hate it. Either way, watch this film. If you love it, you're really going to love it. On the other hand, if you hate it... well, at least you rolled the dice.