Bryan tries to escape Shutter Island

Shutter Island (2010) is the latest movie directed by Martin Scorsese (Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, The Departed). The story follows Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio), a US Marshal, to a place called Shutter Island in 1954. Shutter Island is the home for the criminally insane. Teddy is there to investigate the disappearance of an inmate who seemed to vanish in thin air. During the investigation we are able to see Teddy's dreams and flashbacks as per Teddy's involvement with liberating the Nazi deathcamps and the death of his wife. The case slowly starts Teddy to question his own sanity.

That is far as I will go to the plot. To go any further would be to spoil it. This movie for Scorsese is a pyschological throwback or maybe more of a tribute to other great directors such as Alfred Hitchcock (Vertigo, Rear Window). The influences from classic thrillers are apparrent but so are new influences such as extensive use of flashbacks and dreams (LOST anyone?). This is not your thrill-a-minute horror movie. This may be as close to horror that Scorsese gets but to those of us in the audience, I think there was possibly one big jump...and the rest were the mandatary lunge from the shadows on to our hero. I expected to be scared...I was not. What I did find was something I had to think about. I was able to figure out what was going on before the midway point of the film and Scorsese leaves plenty of clues, besides direct dialogue to help those who might feel confused. Either way, the film does leave us with a question at the end...I will save that discussion for another time so we can keep this review spoiler free.

DiCaprio is the star but it is the supporting characters that really shine. DiCaprio seems to struggle a bit with his Boston accent. It just didn't sound natural. Ben Kingsley was great as Dr. Cawley and Max von Sydow always delivers as the suspicious Dr. Naehring. Mark Ruffalo who plays Teddy's new partner was excellent, as was Jackie Earle Haley. I have no problem with the acting in this film. Scorsese always brings out the best in his actors.

The technical aspect of the film was a bit surprising. The background music was overbearing from the start. Loud horns and strings usually build up to a climax of some kind but in Shutter Island it just leads to sudden silence...no payoff. The sound editing appeared to be sloppy...character mouth movement didn't always match their speaking. There is alot of green screen special affects going on here too that were subpar...I noticed at one point as Teddy looks over a cliff to the lighthouse, the sfx of the ocean jumped out of place, as if it were not in synch with the motion of the camera. There were many places where the camera angles do not match the characters actions or position. It is possible the director was doing this on purpose to distract the audience and fall alongside Teddy and his battle with his sanity...but I may be giving too much credit. Overall it was just distracting.

For those Leonardo DiCaprio fans, this is definitely a must see. Leo does well even as he struggles with his accent. There is a topless DiCaprio in a shower scene. For Martin Scorsese fans, the director takes a different turn here...some will love it, others may not like it at all. Scorsese leaves us wondering at the end and you may find yourself in a discussion over the conclusion of the film. That may have been his goal all along...keep them guessing and make them talk about afterward...his goal was acheived.

As for the R rating...there is alot swearing, disturbing images and glimpses of full frontal male nudity. Keep the kids at home.

Some of the comments afterwards included: "confusing," "sharp" and "mindfreak." Personally, I came away with a feeling of sadness. Sadness for those in Teddy's flashback...when you see the movie you'll understand. I don't see this movie being a big blockbuster. It may be the movie people point to in Scorcese career as the film he paid tribute to all the psychological thrillers that influenced him. As for me, I'm giving a slight recommendation for those who like Scorsese and DiCaprio.

b.