SHUTTER ISLAND (English/18+)
Genre: Drama/Thriller
Release Date: 15 April 2010
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Running Time: 138 mins.
Director: Martin Scorsese
Producers: Martin Scorsese, Bradley J Fischer, Mike Medavoy, Arnold W Messer
Writers: Laeta Kalogridis, Steven Knight (uncredited); Dennis Lehane (novel)
Casts: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Kingsley, Mark Ruffalo, Michelle Williams
Plot: Set in 1954, U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) is investigating the disappearance of a murderess whom escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is presumed to be hiding on the remote 'Shutter Island'.
THE VERDICT
Watching yet another awesome collaboration between the master in the form of Martin Scorsese and the maestro-apprentice in the form of Leonardo DiCaprio is never a letdown. Coming after the age when Scorsese-De Niro have produced some of centuries’ most dark and entertaining cinematic era, comes a new era with both of the new age teamwork that takes a trip to the world filled with insanity on the one remote island - Shutter Island. Yes, I can assure you that this trip is fun, satisfactory and mind-blowing as well. Read on to know why.
Ripped from the best-selling novel of the same title by Dennis Lehane, Shutter Island takes you to the remote island where an asylum is on the attention of U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio) and his partner Chuck Aule (Ruffalo). The reason they went to the mental hospital-asylum there is to investigate the disappearance of Rachel Solando (Mortimer), a patient who vanished from a locked room. Dr John Crawley (Kingsley) later explained that Rachel was institutionalized following after drowning of her three children. She believes, however, that she is still home and that her children are still alive.
First, let's talk about the story and plot. I have to admit; while I have limited knowledge of details and backgrounds about this book, I am pretty much assured that the movie has almost complete similarity with the book - little have been altered and the backbone story is just the same – wild, imaginative and filled with psycho-intriguing pace. What I think about it is that the plot of the movie was solid and very straight-forward, albeit too lengthy. Nevertheless, it managed to grab the souls and environments perfectly. It was not disappointing as I love how the story-telling was presented – slowly and bit by bit the atmosphere and the erosion of the character changes. I also enjoyed the little bit of flashbacks infused with teddy’s dreams intervened with proper timeline. Perhaps, the best is when you really feel the transition from sanity to insanity in Teddy’s mind!
Somehow, the plot is predictable but it is not an issue here. For those who have read the book before, watching this film is like the re-imagination and re-creating the lucrative illusion and reality in within. While for those who never read before or never knew how the storyline was at all, it can be difficult. The elements explained here are deeply metaphors and at times really psychologically bothering. Images are real graphic and disturbing, only to successfully gives a very eerie experience. Likewise, the conspiracy theory and the work to seek the truth work!
DiCaprio gave an interesting performance role under the character Teddy – a delusional man (SPOILED!) that managed his havoc that realistically separates the borderline between sane and insane well. His performance reflects a great deal of thriller, tormented psychological affair with guilt over the pass. To sum it all, DiCaprio is almost perfect. Well, not forgetting that we have a bunch of supporting characters that were equally good. Mark Ruffalo’s turn as Teddy’s best mate could sting up some surprising impact – but it wasn’t as strong as I have hoped for. Ben Kingsley’s character is the one I confused the most. You kept on wonder how he will be a good or villain in the end, particularly with his mysterious nature could not make one to think the motive behind everything.
Cinematographic works in the movie were brilliant. I was mesmerized when one told me that the work settings and displays were so real and so similar with the one described in the Lehane’s book. I mean in every detail? Well, the surrealism and in depths were undeniably excellent. The only question after you watch this movie is perhaps how much you can accept the ending. Climax occurs at the final 20 minutes but the twists were seriously mind-blowing. However it depends on the level and your own opinions; whether the ending was totally awesome or just a piece of time wasting session. You make your call!
THE RATING:
Story - 4.0 stars
Casts - 4.0 stars
Cinematography - 4.5 stars
Effects - 3.5 stars
OVERALL - 4.0 stars
GREEN-TEA-O-METER: 16.0