Shutter Island Movie Review

Martin Scorsese’s psychological thriller, “Shutter Island”, explores the complex world of clinical care envisioned by Dennis Lehane, the author of the book from which the film is derived from. Through Laeta Kalogridi’s skilful adaptation of the novel, viewers are taken into a deep emotional journey into the life and experiences of the mentally ill people combined with utter fear and extreme horror for the unknown. However to fully appreciate the film and feel it’s full effects it is highly recommended to watch the film first before reading the novel.

“Shutter Island” begins with the assignment of two U.S. marshals, Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo) into the remote and barren Shutter Island, home to the homicidally insane and severely crazy. In the island, the duo is tasked to search for a woman who has mysteriously vanished from a locked room with no apparent means of escape. As the pieces are slowly falling into place, the buildings are threatened by a powerful storm that could completely knock the whole compound down. The events in the environment mimic the growing tension among every roommate and crew member inside. Soon, the duo discovers that finding the truth may eventually mean the death of someone. Escaping is not an option.

With experience backing him up, it’s no doubt Scorsese created a thriller that surely stabs every viewer right down to the core. Using his advanced cinematic tools and mastered skills, he moulds the story towards its devastating conclusion in returning enveloping audiences into a similarly dreaded trance of fear and depression.

Scorsese has perfected in this film the art of building up tension and maintaining it all throughout from beginning to end. In order to do so, he skilfully uses the eerie setting and the disturbing presence of the inhabitants themselves. Just the appearance of the location alone and the image of the characters is enough to send viewers’ brains into full alert. Increasing the film’s effectiveness even further is the use of dark, shadowy imagery created by a muted colour palette. The monochromic production approach plus the introduction of the storm enhances the feeling of dread and doom to the highest level.

At first glance, one would think the characters in the film are the typical paperback characters that popped out straight from the novel into the screen. One word would immediately come with this idea: boring. However contrary to first impression, the film moulds the characters differently by adding unexpected twists. Instead of being a common hard-boiled, hard-drinker and womanizer, Daniels comes out as an intelligent, brooding man who strays away from alcohol and is constantly plagued by vivid dreams of his dead wife. These nightmares and images are so heartbreaking to watch yet they were beautifully crafted to come out as horrifically real as can be.

Stars didn’t disappoint with their performances as well. Guided by good direction from Scorsese, stellar portrayals were delivered. Empathizing with DiCaprio is easy as viewers feel his torment and fear radiating from the screen through his beautiful facial expressions filled with intense emotions. Even in silence, one can’t help but be moved by his inner feelings. Ruffalo as a partner delivers alongside him in an entirely opposite manner. Despite this, the duo fit perfectly together. Also stepping up in their roles to create such a huge impact to viewers are stars Elias Koteas and Jackie Earle Haley both portraying inhabitants of the island.

The greatest strength of “Shutter Island” meanwhile comes from its interesting and complicated storyline. Viewers would find that the film is testing their strengths as well as they traverse deep down onto a complex web of problems and mysteries. As the film goes longer and longer, more and more questions are rising to confuse the minds of viewers even more. Ultimately, audience find themselves in the end as vulnerable as Teddy is in the story. Unexpectedly, the film evokes both thoughts and emotions that would open one’s eyes to the challenging realities and horrors of life.