We don’t know how she got out of her room. It’s as if she evaporated, straight through the walls. – Dr. John Cawley
**This is a SPOILER FREE Review**
It’s safe to say that the partnership between DiCaprio and Scorsese has been a productive one for the famed director – Gangs of New York got 10 Oscar nominations, The Aviator got 11 nods (and 5 wins), and The Departed got 5 nominations and won 4, including Best Picture and Marty’s long-coveted Best Director Oscar [video]. So when it was told that the team was going at it again for Shutter Island, this fan was going to be first in line. Did it live up to my own hype? It sounded like perfect thriller material, straight out of the third act of Scorsese’s Cape Fear remake, and an ideal fit for the legendary filmmaker. I am glad to say I was first in line, last to leave and very satisfied.
Director: Martin Scorsese
Writers: Laeta Kalogridis (screenplay) Dennis Lehane (novel)
Cast: Leonardo Dicaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams
Synopsis: From Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese, Shutter Island is the story of two U.S. marshals, Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), who are summoned to a remote and barren island off the coast of Massachusetts to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a murderess from the island’s fortress-like hospital for the criminally insane.
[Trailer]
The last thriller Scorsese delivered was the fantastic re-make of Cape Fear starring his other muse, Robert DeNiro. With Shutter Island he proves once more that you don’t need jump out shockers or high octane action scenes to make you squirm in your seat. Just ask my girlfriend who had her hand over her eyes – peeking in to see what was going to happen. There are no clichés in this film, there is no rushed ending that will leave half the audience feeling cheated. This film builds up to a strong conclusion of a twisted journey.
The gothic atmosphere and reality-shifting sequences were mesmerizing. Bravo to Robert Richardson who made such a dark film as beautiful as can be with his cinematography. The CGI effects are well crafted and don’t seem forced on us at all. Add on the loud ominous score by Robbie Robertson that seemed to use the speakers to their max level, eerie as hell. My favorite role for DiCaprio before this was that of Howard Hughes in the Aviator. Another frazzled character. He plays Teddy Daniels in Shutter Island much like he did that of Hughes; paranoid and alone.
The movie has a twist, this is not a spoiler. From the moment they get on the Island you will be looking for it. Do yourself a favor and don’t. Let the film take you to this island and you will be glad you didn’t try to ‘beat the movie’ when it is all said and done. I myself will be seeing this film again, and I know it will have new a meaning and resolve for me. Don’t miss Scorsese’s latest, from every note of music to every frame of film and each performance, this picture brings a terrifying tale to screen that will stick in your mind for days.
4.5 Burned Matches Out Of 5
Tags: Ben Kingsley, leonardo dicaprio, mark ruffalo, martin scorsese, michelle williams, review, shutter island
