The Cinema For 2/19/10: "Shutter Island" Gets The Attention, But "Ghost Writer" Is The Choice

Evan McGregor is the Actor of the Week for his performance in Ghost Writer

The Cinema is here again on another TWD Friday, as the two big premieres this week are "Shutter Island" and "Ghost Writer". And it seems from most critics, the latter is the slightly better option.

In this week's unique battle of acclaimed directors, it seems the much criticized and joked about Polanski has the film worth watching first.

Scorsese and DiCaprio reunite here again as all of you know, and it seemed like they were still on a hangover from the greatness of "The Departed." The NY Daily News Joe Neumaier sure thinks so:

It has, of course, been made with exquisite care — Scorsese lovingly considers even the smallest details — and there are few pretensions here. Yet what ultimately sticks in the mind is how hard the movie works for so little effect; it's like watching a circus strongman pretending to exert himself lifting a Q-tip. For all the trickiness and bluster, "Shutter Island" is dead inside.

But even if Scorsese isn't at his best, he still has enough quality to not waste your time at the movies completely when you watch one of his films.

Probably the best take on this film from anyone is from James Berardinelli:

Shutter Island is satisfying in ways that February movies often are not. Like all solid thrillers, it engages while challenging the intellect. Its puzzle, while not as twisty as some, is nevertheless enticing to piece together. Yet it's easy to understand Paramount's reluctance to release the movie in the thick of the Oscar season because it's not really an awards-caliber movie. Shutter Island is enjoyable in part because of the way Scorsese approaches the material, but it is ultimately nothing more than a well-made genre effort. Relieved of the weight of Oscar expectations, perhaps Shutter Island will open up to audiences who view Scorsese as being too "artistic." After all, this production is many things, but pretentious is not among them.

And for entertainment value, as always, here is The Spill crew with their fun review on it.

USA Today's Claudia Plug trumps the return of Polanski:

This is the 76-year-old Polanski's first contemporary thriller in two decades and his first film in four years. It's an intelligent and deftly honed return to the genre, blending a contemporary plot and classic structure. This tale of an ordinary guy who gets caught up in sinister events evokes Raymond Chandler stories and vintage Alfred Hitchcock films.

Marked by clever twists and turns, the story unfolds at just the right pace. The dialogue — adapted by Polanski and British writer Robert Harris from Harris' novel The Ghost— is incisive and interspersed with wit.

An integral reason for the positive critique of "Ghost Writer" is thanks to the performance of the gentleman that is Evan McGregor. The LA Times' Kenneth Turan praises the stalwart Star Wars actor and views this as a possible key moment in the embattled director's career:

McGregor, a busy actor who doesn't always pick his projects carefully, is excellent as the Ghost With No Name. It's a tricky role, demanding he hold our interest as a decent and capable everyman while allowing for him to be gullible enough to get caught up in the powerful undertow of forces beyond his control.

More than that, the film elegantly hints but never pushes that there just might be some kind of extrasensory connection between this ghost and the one who came before.

Speaking of connections, it is especially heartening to see a letter-perfect Wallach bring the same kind of brio to a small part as an island resident he brought to "Mystic River" back in 2003. That film was the start of a directing renaissance for Clint Eastwood, and with any kind of luck this film just might signal a new beginning for Polanski as well.

Both of these films are very long, which would be a shock if they weren't with both Scorsese and Polanski. A decent bit over 2 hours is the length for "Shutter Island" and "Ghost Writer", so make sure you get your sleep before watching these films.

Until then, that's The Cinema for this week.

FIN.