Martin Scorsese Regrets Making This Movie the Most: "The Last Studio Film I Made"
This is a unique case in cinema history, when a film that was considered a great director's personal failure became a classic for millions of viewers.
Martin Scorsese is a living legend of cinema and the creator of masterpieces such as Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, and The Wolf of Wall Street. However, one movie in his extensive filmography is one that the director has publicly expressed regret about.
Despite its commercial success and audience adoration, Shutter Island was a bitter lesson for Scorsese, teaching him to avoid creative compromise in the future.
Martin Scorsese Regrets Making 'Shutter Island'
In an interview with GQ, the director admitted that he probably shouldn't have taken on this project. Following the success of The Departed and his Oscar win, Scorsese was “encouraged” to make his most commercial film yet.
However, filming Shutter Island was a disappointing experience due to its strict studio budget and running time requirements, as well as Harvey Weinstein's involvement.
Scorsese realized he could no longer work under such conditions, so this project became “the last studio film [he] made.”
What Is 'Shutter Island' About?
1954, Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his partner, Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), arrive on the foggy island of Shutter to investigate the disappearance of a patient from a hospital for the criminally insane.
The hospital's labyrinthine interiors and inhabitants conceal sinister secrets. Teddy must confront his own demons to unravel a shocking truth that will change everything.
Despite Martin Scorsese's Opinion, 'Shutter Island' Is Still One of the Best Psychological Thrillers Ever Made
Ironically, the movie, which the director considers a creative compromise, was well-received by viewers and critics alike.
Shutter Island is a masterfully crafted psychological thriller imbued with a paranoid atmosphere and built on the conventions of the best works of the genre.
Shutter Island keeps viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end and offers one of the most memorable plot twists in modern cinema.
Inclusion in lists of the best thrillers demonstrates that Scorsese was able to create intelligent, stylish, and gripping cinema even while working within the confines of the "system."
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Shutter Island'?
-
Shutter Island has 69% from critics and 77% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
-
On IMDb, the movie has a score of 8.2/10.
-
On Letterboxd, Shutter Island is scored 4.2/5.0.
Where to Watch 'Shutter Island'?
Shutter Island is available to stream on Peacock.
