Beautiful thriller with a few flaws

Rating: 7/10 (10 February 2011)

A classic psychological thriller based on Dennis Lehane's eponymous novel.
The movie starts with the arrival of detectives Teddy Daniels and Chuck Aule at the Ashecliffe Mental Hospital on Shutter island to investigate the disappearance of Rachel Solando from her isolation room, and narrates the twists of the investigation, in which Marshal Teddy will find himself personally involved.
The film is well acted, especially by Di Caprio as Detective Teddy -in a role that he plays with great easiness and believability- and Michel Williams as his sensitive deceased wife Dolores. Ben Kingsley (as Dr. John Cawley), Max von Sydow (as Dr. Jeremiah Naehring) and Mark Ruffalo (as Chuck Aule) are all correct in their performances.
The plot is not especially original, somewhat predictable, but it is well carried out. There are a few flaws and inconsistencies in the story, but, overall, it is very engaging and enjoyable, thanks to Scorsese's masterful direction, Di Caprio's performance and the artistic team of the movie. The mood is excellent, and mixes the feeling of the noire films of the 1950s with modern themes. The oniric images are truly beautiful and intrinsically connected to the story, and so are the special effects used in them.
A very entertaining thriller, with a few flaws.