Martin Scorsese will go down as one of the best directors ever in cinema history. He is a man who has turned in some great films that will always be remembered. Films like Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, Mean Streets, Cape Fear, and most recently The Departed, are all unforgettable films and Shutter Island can be added to that prestigious list. Now, Shutter Island is very different from the films I just listed, however, Scorsese still makes it his own, even when dealing with mysteries and murders. He is a man approaching his seventies, but there is no sign of him aging when it comes to the stories he wants to tell.
Shutter Island begins with U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) on a ferry and about to enter Ashecliffe Hospital for the Criminally Insane. He is with his new partner Chuck (Mark Ruffalo) and they were sent to investigate a disappearance by one of the prisoners or shall I say “patients.” Her name is Rachel and she’s in the hospital because she drowned all three of her children. So she is dangerous, but most of the patients there are. This is why they have been secluded from society and are on Shutter Island in the first place. But soon Teddy realizes there is more going on in the hospital than he first thought. There are secrets on the island and a story that is being hidden.
This is one of those films that you must go see it for yourself and watch the mystery unfold until you finally see the truth. It is well worth the wait. I will say that Shutter Island is a creepy and thrilling film and really messes with your head. You are not quite sure what is real and what is not. You cannot help but be suspicious of anyone and everyone.
DiCaprio is a talented actor and an intelligent one for picking the films he has and for working with great directors. DiCaprio and Scorsese have worked on The Aviator, The Departed and Gangs of New York before this and each guy keeps getting better and better. And I think Scorsese has helped DiCaprio become the star he is today and help mature him as an actor. A lot of credit must go to DiCaprio and his brilliantly brutal performance in this film. I do not think you have ever seen Leo like you do in this film. He works on several different levels of emotion and shows each one in a distinct, specific way. It is up to him to carry this film and make you believe in what is going on throughout his journey and he does.
DiCaprio has some great talent around him including Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, who is the psychiatrist who runs the hospital, Patricia Clarkson, and Michelle Williams. Williams plays DiCaprio’s wife. All of her scenes are flashbacks or hallucinations and those scenes are beautiful and heart-breaking at the same time. She plays a huge role even if she has passed away and Williams proves she is a terrific actress who deserved her Oscar nomination for Brokeback Mountain. The great thing about the performances in this film is that they are all great. Each actor takes their role and makes it their own. It does not matter if the role is small or may appear less important than others, all of the performances enhance your experience on Shutter Island.
Scorsese really knows how and what to get out of each scene with each actor. The performances are stunning, but nothing can come together without the director. Scorsese uses his knowledge of films and brings this Hitchcock-like tone to Shutter Island.
This film puts you on quite a ride and one hell of a journey. Along with Scorsese’s direction, the score and the locations brings this film to life and adds to the suspense. There is a lot of craziness going on and hurricanes rolling in. The perfect environment is created for a story such as this. And you cannot help but dive right in. Shutter Island takes it’s time and the film has many layers to it, and that is part of its charm. What starts out as a simple disappearance becomes so much more.
Shutter Island is one of the best films I have seen so far this year and I am almost certain I will not forget it when this year comes to a close. This film has very strong performances, but DiCaprio flexes his muscles the most. Scorsese is a living legend and is still at the top of his game. Shutter Island becomes many things. It is exciting, entertaining, chilling, thrilling, horrific, and haunting. But is mostly flawless filmmaking.
Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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