Is it possible Scorsese can make a bad movie?

Rating: 8/10 (27 February 2010)

Shutter Island is a Martin Scorsese film no doubt about it. The atmosphere is very dark with raging storms outside and serious psychological problems on the inside. Teaming with Scorsese for the fourth time, Leonardo DiCaprio continues his ascent as one of the finest actors in Hollywood today. Taking place in 1954 on a remote island off the coast of Massachusetts, DiCaprio is Teddy Daniels, a US Marshal assigned to solve the mystery of a woman who supposedly disappeared from the seemingly impenetrable island.
Without giving anything away, I must address the shock and somewhat disappointment this film has received from many critics and Scorsese fans alike. Some say the film loses its way at the halfway mark, some say the story doesn't work at all and its just filled with scenes of this great cast doing bad Bostonian accents. It certainly isn't one of Scorsese's best compared to the classics of Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, Goodfellas or The Departed but this taut thriller for the most part still delivers.
The main problem people seem to have with Shutter Island is that the story goes way off keel in the last half hour and it does, that cannot be denied. However, the first 100 minutes are vintage Scorsese: dark, moody, and psychologically effective. DiCaprio is solid as a man tormented by demons that will eventually overtake his life. The supporting cast is very strong including Ben Kingsley, Mark Ruffalo, Emily Mortimer, Ted Levine and Michelle Williams, all who get their scene to shine and take advantage. The cinematography is very stunning and Scorsese's direction is effective in keeping us off balance so as to not know what to expect as the story unfolds.
The main twist this whole story hinges upon is one that might be frustrating for some film lovers, especially those who have had more than enough of their share of twisted plots. Nevertheless, despite the overdose of twists and revelations in the final 15 minutes, it seems Scorsese is more concerned with the buildup to the final conclusion and it is quite a trip. The acting carries most of the story and DiCaprio and Williams make their scenes believable despite teetering on melodrama and overacting. This is the kind of film that depends on the mindset you take into it. If you have seen the trailer, you must not expect the best film Scorsese has ever done. But, keep an open mind and don't try to figure the plot as I did and you might just enjoy your time. It certainly isn't instantly forgettable and that is the true mark of a Martin Scorsese film.