Movie Review: Shutter Island

U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels is assigned to a case at Boston’s Shutter Island Ashecliffe Hospital when a mental patient locked up for murder goes missing. Marshal Daniels, whose own fears and inner demons haunt him, has been involved in bringing down the hospital for their radical treatment of patients. As he faces obstacle after obstacle Daniels begins to wonder if the hospital staff are purposely trying to hinder his case.

This is a very interesting screenplay, Scorcese and DiCaprio are an effective team here. Shutter Island’s solid acting, numerous plot twists, and stunning art direction and cinematography keeps the audience intrigued throughout the film. The time period of the fifties gives an added element towards the thriller/horror feel of the movie. The cast is uniformly excellent, particularly DiCaprio, Kingsley and Ruffalo.

This film works as a mystery, thriller, and a drama. If you are interested in great filmmaking, good acting and a fascinating screenplay, Shutter Island should be added to your must see list.

2010. Directed by Martin Scorsese. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Kingsley, Max Von Sydow, Mark Ruffalo, Michelle Williams, Patricia Clarkson and Ted Levine.

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