Review: Shutter Island
Based on Daniel Lehane’s best-seller of the same name, Shutter Island is about two US Federal Marshals, Edward “Teddy” Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo) who are sent to investigate the disappearance of one of the “patients” a prison-like hospital for the criminally insane. However when the hospital’s administrator John Cawley (Ben Kingsley) and the other workers don’t co-operate as much as Teddy or Chuck would like, they go searching for the answers themselves.
Shutter Island implements strong elements of suspense as you’d expect from a thriller but it’s the way that Martin Scorsese tells the tale and directs scenes that creates an unpredictable narrative. The dream sequences and the moments where lighting plays a large role are particularly chilling and effective. Shutter Island plays out very much like a gritty thriller but what makes it so suspenseful and thrilling is that every moment is so masterfully created.
The plethora of acting talent exhibited all over Shutter Island is exemplary and does nothing to make the atmosphere that is created feel any less impactual throughout. DiCaprio and Ruffalo play their parts with perfection, particularly DiCaprio who has created a formidable partnership with Scorsese in recent times. This is the fourth film that DiCaprio has made with Scorsese and it really shows just how strong their partnership is. DiCaprio creates a highly believable character with Teddy Daniels, who is tormented by the loss of his wife.
The same can be said for Mark Ruffalo who is on surprisingly great form as Teddy’s first-time partner Chuck who acts as the more anxious character of the two – he is somewhat Teddy’s conscience who tries to dissuade him from making the wrong decisions. Ben Kingsley is exceptional (as expected) as the sinister administrator of the hospital. You never fully work out his character as he seems to care for his patients but is clearly hiding secrets from Teddy & Chuck. Even when the film ends there’s questions to be asked.
Light plays a massive part in Shutter Island and the use of it to full effect can have a truly chilling response.
Shutter Island is an experience you will need to have more than once to fully take in everything. The complex and elaborate puzzle that the story becomes is not something people will have put entirely together when the credits roll. The plot itself is powerful, engaging and full little pieces of the puzzle that get pieced together over the two hours. You’ll be hunting for those few pieces that are hidden around the place somewhere though – the dark narrative is deep and psychological and you won’t be completely enlightened by the end.
The psychology of Shutter Island plays with your mind (as well as the characters) and it’s something that the likes of M. Night Shyamalan and David Fincher would find enviable – the gritty nature of Shutter Island takes you in but messes with you. The culmination of this is fascinating albeit a tad predictable. There’s always going to be a twist with films like Shutter Island and I saw it coming earlier than I’d like – that hurts the experience a little – but thankfully the very consistent flow of the film never falters which helps ease the slight disappointment.
Overall Impressions:
Shutter Island is nothing less than what I expected: a psychological, suspenseful and chilling thriller that shows DiCaprio’s versatility and acting credentials whilst exhibiting some spectacular cinematography. It may not all sink in on the first watch (as is the case with any piece-by-piece film) and the plot is a little predictable but Shutter Island is worthy of that second viewing and deservedly so.
It may have the odd flaw here and there but let nothing dampen the effect this film has on you: Shutter Island is an excellent film and a true testimony to just how powerful and thought provoking Martin Scorsese can make a film.
Rating: 
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