The Shutter Island Review

I just watched a late night showing of The Shutter Island and let's start by saying that it was a ten dollars well spent.

Title: THE SHUTTER ISLAND
Genre: DRAMA/MYSTERY/THRILLER
Director: MARTIN SCORSESE
Summery: Drama is set in 1954, U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels is investigating the disappearance of a murderess who escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is presumed to be hiding on the remote Shutter Island. (imdb.com)

When it comes to Martin Scorsese's films, The Shutter Island is not his strongest but at the same time it is a very good film on Scorsese's part. Visually it's stunning. The dream sequences are very powerful and the acting for the most part is strong. Leo DiCaprio, Michelle Williams, and of course Ben Kingsley really shine in this movie. I think that Mark Ruffalo's role was a miscast. Usually I enjoy Ruffalo's work but this time I really didn't feel his character. Also I have to note that the music was beautiful. Apparently no score was recorded for the film, instead Scorsese hired Robbie Robertson to ensemble already recorded material. I tip my hat because in my opinion it fitted the movie spot on! In fact my friend pointed out that the music style and sound editing reminded him of the older movies from the 60's. Now that I think about it, the music placement really gave my that (Alfred Hitchcock's) "Psycho" vibe, and now I know why.

The story itself tries to be complex but if you put it piece by piece than it is actually really easy. I think the plot was interesting and it had a very big premise but sadly I feel like it didn't delivery. It was wrong pacing for a mystery. Maybe it is because the idea has been done so many times but I believe that it's the script's fault. I haven't read it yet but I really believe that a better writing would have saved this movie from being too predictable.

Anyway, I really enjoyed it. I think that The Shutter Island is that kind of movie you don't want to think about the plot until the movie actually is over. When you finally can piece the movie together and you see that last scene that's when you really need to start thinking...the actions of the characters behavior as well as what was said...especially Teddy's last line.

So overall, I'm pretty pleased with the movie even thought it was not what I wanted it to be. And in the end I give this movie 8.4/10

P.S Don't be expecting a horror movie, it's a psychological thriller but only to a degree because the story shifts between different genres. It even has few good laughs.

Trailer
imdb.com