I have not watched the film in a long time but I remember loving it when it came out. I was sat in the cinema and what struck me was how beautiful the film is. I know what your thinking, it's not exactly sunshine and rainbows so what is she talking about?
If you had the privilege of seeing the movie on the big screen you'll have noticed that it is a stunning film not simply because of the writing, directing and performances but also and importantly the cinematography. The scene that springs to mind is one where Teddy Daniels is exploring ward C, it is dark, confined, you can see wall to wall and a mid-shot of Leo. It is a great shot and just one that signifies the quality of the camerawork.
Shutter Island was directed by Martin Scorsese and was the fourth collaboration between him and Leonardo DiCaprio. In reflection they have made some amazing films together, The Aviator (2004) is possibly the best Biography film I have seen, but there is something about Shutter Island that sets it apart from the others ( Gangs of New York (2002) and The Departed (2006) ) it plays like a great Hitchcock film and everyone knows Hitchcock's title was the master of suspense. The story is one of confusion, and tension, it is a very underrated Mystery/Thriller.
Leonardo DiCaprio is Teddy Daniels a US Marshal in 1954 who when the film opens is traveling by ferry with his new partner Chuck (Mark Ruffalo) to Shutter Island where the criminally insane are kept. A patient is missing from a room with barred windows that was locked from the outside and the Marshals have been called in to solve this mystery. They are introduced to the head physician Dr Cawley (played superbly by Sir Ben Kingsley) who seems very polite (maybe too polite) and not as co-operative as the Marshals would like.
From the start it is obvious this is not going to be an open and shut case, we not only begin to be suspicious of the staff on Shutter Island but also of Teddy Daniels himself. Clearly all is not right with the Marshal he has another agenda and has suffered from many past traumas in his life, we see very disturbing images of a death camp during the holocaust. Daniels is also seeing visions of his wife Dolores (Michelle Williams) this would not be normal in any situation but what makes it worse is that we know Dolores is dead, she was killed in a house fire. Such trauma is starting to affect Teddy and DiCaprio gives a brilliant performance with many layers, which are revealed one by one as the film progresses.
The score for the film reminds me of another Scorsese film, Cape Fear (1991) I will say again as I do every time, the music is one of the most important elements and it is used so successfully in this movie. Especially when the Marshals arrive on the island, as they drive towards the main compound the music builds and builds until it is so loud and menacing you can barely stand it, it is almost like the island itself is giving off this terrifying feeling of foreboding and making any guests feel unwelcome.
Martin Scorsese always hires the most amazing casts all the way up from the lead down to the extras and this film is just another film that supports this fact. Max Von Sydow, Emily Mortimer, Patricia Clarkson and Jackie Earle Haley all have very small but memorable roles. They embody their characters and you won't forget their performances easily. Even so the film rests comfortably and squarely on DiCaprio's shoulders, and once again he delivers a performance which makes it all the more unbelievable that he has not won an Academy Award.
The film is rather like another DiCaprio film Inception (2010) which requires your utmost concentration until the end. It is the final 10 minutes of Shutter Island which are the best, I have always loved the big reveal in a movie and this has a corker. It is a film that when you see the end you realize how many clues you were given during the movie, but it is so cleverly constructed that you would not imagine what the ending could actually be.
This is an underrated masterpiece in the art of storytelling and mystery. Brilliantly directed and shot with stand out performances from everyone involved. I give this a 9/10, give it a go.
I hope you enjoyed the article please leave me a comment and tell me what you thought, and if you've seen the movie, what are your views ?
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