The Dark Side of Scorsese

Rating: 10/10 (27 November 2019)

Shutter Island may not be Scorsese's magnum opus but it is certainly a refreshing change of pace for the director, showing us that he is capable of just about anything behind the camera, giving the audience an unrestrained, thrilling crime story, with just enough horror elements to leave goosebumps during the dark scenes. The social commentary on mental illness isn't just important, it's essential and still has a lot to say a decade later, and blends together perfectly with the crime story being played out. While it's not exactly scary, Shutter Island can be deeply disturbing with its subject matter, with scenes and imagery that will haunt viewers long after the end credits. The performances are top notch as we come to expect from Scorsese, DiCaprio once again transforming into his character, becoming nearly unrecognizable, just watch his facial movements when Kingsley's character reveals the big twist in the lighthouse, it's real and raw acting, solidifying Leo as one of the greats of this generation. I wholeheartedly recommend Shutter Island if you haven't seen it already, it's not for the faint of heart, but it's provocative filmmaking from a director who has always been at the top of his game.