Shutter Island, based on the novel by Dennis Lehane, is a psychological thriller about two US. Federal Marshal's Edward Daniels (DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), who are sent to a small island, home to Ashecliffe mental hospital for the criminally insane. Their mission is to investigate the disappearance of a dangerous patient. As the investigation progresses, the marshals soon find that there is more to Shutter Island than meets the eye.
First Off, we all know a movie is never as good as the book it is based off of, right? That said, even though I am a huge fan of the novel, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. It does the novel justice for the most part, accurately portraying the characters and setting, and although the plot is a bit more complex in the novel than in the film, the mystery and the twists of the novel, are still produced effectively in the film.
This, is easily accomplished due to the fact that the story was handed over to one of the greatest director's to date, my personal favorite, Martin Scorsese. Thank you Mr. Scorsese. The stylistic form of the film was set up perfectly for a story set in a dangerous mental asylum. The score, was an eerie nails on a chalkboard kind of tune, that adds an extra dose of insanity and madness to every scene, making for quiet a menacing mood. The cinematography only added to this effect, the camera is quick and jolty, yet steady, jumping with pinpoint accuracy from one shot to another. All these components put together with dense and contrasted colors set the perfect tone for the story, brilliant.
As always, DiCaprio and Kingsley were excellent, and so was the entire ensemble cast. From the cool charisma portrayed by Ruffalo as Chuck Aule, to the creepy thoughts and motions of a lunatic characterized by Jack Earle Haley in his small role as George Noyce. This is not shocking though, because when you entrust a story full of unique and round characters to a fantastic director, great acting is inevitable side effect.
All in all, Martin Scorsese, Dennis Lehane, Leonardo Dicaprio, Ben Kingsley, Mental Asylums, Mystery. Is it a "good" movie? really, is that a necessary question?
My Rating: FLAMIN'
