Scorsese gives us mediocre fare!

Rating: 5/10 (2 April 2010)

I, like most people, enjoy the majority of Martin Scorsese's films. He's been responsible for classics like: Taxi driver; Raging Bull; Goodfellas; Casino; Gangs of New York & The Departed. That said, he can also release the odd turkey. The Age of Innocence & The Aviator spring to mind.
Shutter Island, I'm sad to say, belongs in the latter category! It's not that this is the worst film ever,(it's not even the worst film you'll see this year) but it's distinctly average; which for a director of Scorsese's pedigree is unforgivable! Di Caprio doesn't give the best performance of his life, but he's not helped by the slow, plodding script.
Even Ben Kingsley(Gandhi, Schindler's List) couldn't stop Shutter Island from labouring on, lost in its own mediocrity, until the predictable ending! So called 'psychological thrillers' are supposed to keep you guessing until the coup de grâce twist when it reaches its climax, but this 'twist' was evident(if not downright obvious) from a third of the way through. The outcome was actually so apparent, that I was convinced that Scorsese was leading us down a false path, only to blow our minds with a shattering revelation in the finale.
It wasn't to be though, as we were 'treated' to a pedestrian finish that left a bland taste in the mouth. If you like style over substance, & to have story lines spoon-fed to you, then this could well be your kind of film. If, however, you prefer to be kept guessing, and to actually have to think, then it may not be your cup of tea!