A must watch Film for every Film Lover

Rating: 7/10 (30 June 2010)

Shutter Island A Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese Movie, set in 1950's on the back drop of war and Psychiatry. It looked some time as a horror movie but in fact there was no hammering horror in it, but a naive suspense and twist that shocks you at the end.
Perhaps the unexpected twist at the end was not received properly by many viewers. Yes! Certainly that's what exactly is the suspense in the movie. But unless you watch this movie with great attention you cannot make it what the story is all about? Those who gave it up half way watching(that's exactly many did and even I attempted once)I believe they lost a wonderful movie forever.
At least after reading my review you can once again sit back and watch it from the beginning to end in a relaxed mood.
The pace of first half is slow, confusing and gives an impression as if there is nothing in the movie, except a dragging investigation in to a missing patient in the Shutter Island asylum. There is a strong reason for getting this impression. Dr Cowley and his staff, the nurses, and other doctors behave in such a suspicious manner Teddy (DiCaprio) wonders and all his disbelief further grows deep in mystery as things start unwinding one by one. The missing lady could not be traced as yet and when succeeded it opens up the Pandora's Box.
During Investigation Teddy loses his temper and shouts many times. Why an Investigator loses temper so frequently? He shouts at Dr Cowley and Dr Nehring on many occasions. The investigation goes on in a slow pace.
The first few minutes of the movie, takes your memory back to 'A few Good Men" and DiCaprio made a frail attempt to mimic Tom Cruise, but no match. But I should admit that DiCaprio acted well and did justice to the role.
OK what's the story and enormity of this movie is all about?
Remember the opening scene when Teddy and his assistant Chuck arrives at the Asylum in the Shutter Island by sea, and starts investigation about the missing female patient. Teddy slowly finds the secret behind this chilling gang of Doctors and their staff and realizes how patients are drugged and confined in cells under the guise of treatment (?) A stereo type one? No not at all. Watch it.
Teddy encounters several times his family tragedy in dreams. His dead wife and murdered children often come in his dreams and makes him nervous, while the investigation was on.
Teddy was finally given some drugs by the Doctors as he develops migraine head-ache due to intense investigation and quizzing of the staff. However he realizes that he himself was drugged by the Doctor's as the tablets he swallowed was not Aspirin but a prescribed drug supposed to cure or worsen the mental illness.
Teddy gets the information that the Light House on the shore was the secret den that was being operated by the gang of Doctors. Teddy rushes towards the Light House, and finds Dr Cowley (Ben Kingsley) sitting pretty and cool in the Light House tower.
Not only Teddy was shocked but Teddy shocks the viewers too. The first twist in the movie.
Another twist was in store for viewers by then, before the end comes to an end.
When Teddy and Chuck were discussing sitting on the steps, Teddy slowly drags in to discussion. Teddy calls Chuck in his usual tone and Chuck responds his boss(?) Later Teddy say's a few words like a SAGE. Chuck takes aback. By the time, it is all over! Watch it and find out.
The shock on the face of Chuck ought to have been filmed in close up shot instead of long shot. This is the blunder the Director committed. Again this scene ought to have been filmed in a dramatic manner, to high light the suspense. Director again fails.
A perfect thriller story better filmed, but could have been filmed even better, had the Director taken a little care. As Indian Directors are master of Dramatization a Hindi Version can make box office record here.
Watch this movie with patience and enjoy.
Krishna Baalu/30-06-2010