Shutter Island represents Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio’s fourth collaboration. DiCaprio has clearly become Scorsese’s new muse, a role previously held by Robert De Niro, with whom Scorsese made eight movies, from 1973’s Mean Streets to 1995’s Casino.
I enjoy Scorsese’s work because even if sometimes it’s a little heavy, drawn out, or convoluted, you can always see the touch of the masterful filmmaker behind it. Shutter Island is no different.
DiCaprio plays a federal agent in charge of an investigation into the disappearance of a patient from a mental institution for criminals. The prison/hospital is headed by an intense Ben Kingsley, who seems to obstruct DiCaprio and his partner (Mark Ruffalo) at every turn. He’s aided in this by a very sinister Max von Sydow.
The cast includes more great performers, like Michelle Williams, Patricia Clarkson, Jackie Earle Haley, and John Carroll Lynch, so right away you know you’re in for a great ride.
The screenplay is well developed and serves up a few good twists that keep you on edge from the first tense scenes to the final catharsis.
Technically, the art direction and costumes are impeccable and the cinematography top notch.
I’d strongly recommend this very good thriller to any cinephile.
Grade: 8
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