From award winning director Martin Scorsese come Shutter Island, a story of two U.S. Marshals, Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), who are summoned to a mental institution to investigate the disappearance of a murderess who drowned her own children. As the investigation continues Teddy soon discovers he may never be able to leave this island and begins to learn what is really happening on Shutter Island.
This is a film that I'm sure many won't enjoy and may find at times too slow. I found it a pleasant surprise from the non-stop movement of modern day pictures. It was a film that worked and had the pacing of many older films. For that reason it may not fit quite as well into our current society but the story is intriguing and continues to ask questions, causing us to want answers.
DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo hold in their roles joined by Ben Kingsley as the head of the institution. Scorsese not only knows how to cast well but how to bring out great performances in that cast. DiCaprio does such a wonderful job in his role we're never completely certain whether he's spiraling into insanity or not. It's a blur between the surreal and reality.
The cinematography is great and the soundtrack adds a certain unease to seemingly normal occurrences. The film doesn't always flow quickly but it works in a way that isn't expected. It isn't a quick paced thriller where people jump from the shadows. This is a sophisticated and thought provoking thriller that plays with the mind. At moments it is predictable but at other times lines are blurred and questioned continue to be raised, leading up to the films grand climax.
Shutter Island is an intriguing film of substance and thought.
I really enjoyed the film. Many psychological films either leave you clues or none at all and this one does a little of both to good effect. Everyone knows the movie is in good hands with Scorsese, yet it's interesting to see where he takes each and every film. Everything about this film is well done and I'm also a big fan of Mark Ruffalo. I definitely look forward to seeing this one again.
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