Shutter Island brings Martin Scorsese and Leonardo Di Caprio together again for the fourth time. This thriller, set in the early 1950s, is a tribute to the films produced in that time era, while still incorporating some visual effect tricks that are possible to create today. The two styles combined, plus a strong acting cast led by Di Caprio, made this movie quite enjoyable for me. And because I am a fan of "the look" of a Martin Scorsese film, I recommend that you go a see this one on the big screen.
In this film Di Caprio plays a US Marshall named Teddy Daniels who, with his new partner by his side (played by Mark Ruffalo), goes to an isolated institution for the criminally insane to investigate the disappearance of one of their patients. Through the course of his investigations Daniels believes there is much more going on on Shutter Island that any of the psychiatrists or patients are willing to talk about. As the story unfolds, we find out that not only is Daniels determined to uncover the institution's secrets (of which he believes there are many) but that he has his own personal agenda for wanting to be on the Island - namely, to find another patient that he believes also resides there. - Someone who had a tragic affect on Daniel's life in the past.
Although this thriller wasn't a real heart-stopper for me, I loved the feel of the film and fully appreciated it's "classic film" style. With the wind and rain and waves crashing against the cliffs (accompanied by single note booming music) I was immediately reminded of movies like the original Cape Fear film. In my opinion, any movie that Scorsese makes showcases his knowledge and love of past films. And as I have already mentioned, I really liked how he incorporated his passion for this classic genre of film with special affects that are available to him now. In the film, there are dream sequences that are both bizarre and beautiful to the eye. And I thought they played well off of the dismal dark look of the rest of the movie.
As you would expect with a thriller movie, there are some twists and turns and people jumping out from the dark. I didn't find Shutter Island to be particularly scary but I liked how it built up the suspense of the story. As the movie approached the end, I was a little concerned about how it would all play out - hoping it wouldn't have a lame revelation or cliche explanation of events. And although I of course won't tell you the ending, I can say that even though you'll probably figure some stuff out before the conclusion, you won't be left completely disappointed. I wasn't. And I was especially pleased to see that Scorsese did not end this film with a shot of a rat running across a banister as he did in The Departed (which made me groan.)
So go see Shutter Island. Jump in your seat a couple of times and enjoy "the look" of another visually impressive Martin Scorsese film.
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