Monday Movie Review #6 - Shutter Island

I was an idiot this weekend. Once again, I fell prey to my love of scary movies, though I don't know why I love them because they terrify me and leave me unable to sleep for months. That said, I decided to cave in and see Shutter Island.



It's 1954, and up-and-coming U.S. marshal Teddy Daniels is assigned to investigate the disappearance of a patient from Boston's Shutter Island Ashecliffe Hospital. He's been pushing for an assignment on the island for personal reasons, but before long he wonders whether he hasn't been brought there as part of a twisted plot by hospital doctors whose radical treatments range from unethical to illegal to downright sinister. Teddy's shrewd investigating skills soon provide a promising lead, but the hospital refuses him access to records he suspects would break the case wide open. As a hurricane cuts off communication with the mainland, more dangerous criminals "escape" in the confusion, and the puzzling, improbable clues multiply, Teddy begins to doubt everything - his memory, his partner, even his own sanity.
Taken from imdb.

Shutter Island follows the story of Teddy, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, and his new partner partner, Chuck, played by Mark Ruffalo. The two marshals have arrived on Shutter Island to investigate the disappearance of an extremely dangerous female criminal, Rachel Solando who disappeared inexplicably from her cell. The main problem is the fact that Rachel is psycho - literally psycho - she killed her three children and arranged them around the dinner table for her husband to find. However, the longer Teddy and Chuck stay on the island, the weirder things get. Teddy starts having visions of his dead wife, played by Michelle Williams, and Dr. Cawley, played by the amazing Ben Kingsley. As Teddy begins to unravel, he realizes Shutter Island might just be a trap set by Dr. Cawley, and he's determined to bring it down at any cost.

Confused? Well, so was I. This film was directed by Martin Scorcese of Gangs of New York fame, and is different from anything I've ever seen done by him before. It's also based on the novel by Dennis Lehane. The film is an incredibly terrifying whirlwind of action and adventure, but it's very psychological. Normally I enjoy such films, but you have to pay attention the whole time to make sure you're not missing anything.

This movie is very deep, and extremely multi-faceted, so if you're looking for something easy and carefree, this film is not for you. It's an emotional and psychological roller-coaster drama that messes with your head and doesn't let you trust what you're seeing. Personally, I think the actors did a brilliant job with such a complex script, and while the movie terrified the shit crap heck out of me, I would see it again...if I wasn't a wimp...which I am...so I won't.

Either way, I give this film a 4 out of 5, and if you're looking for a thrilling and suspenseful ride...this one is for you! Below is the trailer for those who've not yet seen it. (I'd leave the lights on.)



P.S. Can I just say how bloody excited I am for Alice in Wonderland this Friday?!?!? I already got my midnight tickets, and I'm sure you'll see me mention it more than once in the next week ;)