Scorsese Ode to Stanley Kubrick

Rating: 10/10 (24 March 2010)

The way I see it, there are three interpretations of the film, which I will call The Doctor is Bad, The Doctor is Good, and The Doctor is God.
The Doctor is Bad (Teddy is sane and there really is a government conspiracy) The Doctor is Good (Teddy is insane and the Doctor is trying to give him therapy) The Doctor is God (Teddy is dead and the "Doctor" is trying to get him to acknowledge where he really is and what he has done in his life).
Let's consider the third possibility for a moment. Ben Kingsley's character was a benevolent person, and he spoke repeatedly by cure his patients with love and understanding. The ex-military Warden, too, is fighting for his soul. He offers Teddy the observation, that we are all evil, and nature itself is not full of God's love, but violence. He asks, "The only question is, whose violence is stronger?" This is basically a materialist, satanic world view as it is understood from a Christian perspective. I find this a possible reference to Christ's forgiveness. He gave Teddy repeated chances to admit his guilt, but his pride won't allow him to do it.
Teddy has to go the process all over again, and he must be turned over to "the Warden" (war, violence, lust for power) who gets to torture him by living through it again. Only this film seems to suggest that "hell" is merely being tied to the illusion of the world. He can't get past it because he won't admit he is a sinner. He will keep doing it over again in the "real world" (perhaps for eternity) until he repents. Auschwitz, Shutter Island, and Purgatory (?!) all have a gate and a sign outside. What if this isn't Shutter Island at all? What if the German Commandant is really Teddy? The evocative soundtrack seems to suggest much more is going on here than meets the eye on first viewing.
As for the Oedipus myth, we do see Greek statues in the Doctor's study during the storm, perhaps making reference to Oedipus/Teddy's search for the truth, which will only destroy him by finding it. Like Oedipus, he is "blinded" by the ice pick during the lobotomy.
I can honestly say I was pleasantly surprised by a recent film for the first time in a long time. Even though I immediately picked up on the Warden/Satan vibe, and even though I noted the Greco-Roman references, my mind just couldn't break free. It wasn't until you made the connection to purgatory/hell that it all hit me like a flash. I think even though intellectually people can "get it" we are so resistant to metaphysical ideas that we subconsciously discount them...at first. I didn't see what this film was, even though it was right in front of me. I needed to connect the dots. I never really pegged Scorsese much as a deep thinker. Only a few of his films have attempted deep metaphysical themes, Last Temptation, Kundun, and now Shutter Island. His films I have always found very gritty and earthy, but just as often flashy, hedonistic, and even a bit mean spirited. I do think he is a great director, but not my favorite by a long haul. I watched thinking it was a simple matter of sane/insane, but with a decided lean towards insane.
Scorsese in his films has rarely touched upon whatever Catholicism or religious beliefs he may hold, with the obvious exception of The Last Temptation of Christ. I mentioned Kundun before. I always wondered what attracted him to that material, as his films are very Western and usually pretty earthy. Looking back now after seeing Shutter Island, this is interesting, because of the parallels with Buddhist concepts like karma. The illusion of reality is the ultimate cause of ego, pride, what have you. This creates an endless cycles of suffering until the illusory nature of the world is broken. The other film, Last Temptation, as everyone knows was a highly unorthodox and controversial depiction of the Gospels. If the references to Greek mythology are also present in Shutter Island (as I suspect they are), then this also touches on the suffering caused by the human folly of pride from a non-Christian perspective. One thing Buddhism, Christianity and Greek Tragedy all have in common is that pride goes before the fall. All of this suggests that Scorsese's interpretation of Christianity is very different the official orthodoxy. Unlike Catholic teaching, God does not give us the chance to be saved only while we are alive. His mercy is endless, and more in keeping with Buddhism, we are given many chances in Purgatory to break the hold of worldly illusion on us. One more link to Buddhist karma for me: Teddy's friend in Cell Block C said "Let it go!" in reference to his dead wife/past life. Dr. Cawley speaks of a "new way" of treating patients/sinners. This isn't a one shot through the pearly gates or into the Lake of Fire you go. Cawley has great patience, although you could argue that the end of the film might indicate that time has run out for Teddy. I personally think his memory of coming to Shutter Island is merely wiped clean again. Not for the purpose of punishment as giving Teddy yet another chance to let go of his illusions of the world. Teddy isn't there for the purpose of punishment, though. His suffering is a consequence of his inability to let go his ego. I find this a very humane and enlightened version of Christ's forgiveness.