No Tropical Paradise!

Rating: 9/10 (7 February 2012)

Leonardo Di Caprio is one of my favourite actors. His performances are flawless and enthralling. I know I'm going to see something special when I watch him perform. He is a fearless actor who makes a difficult craft look simple. He has heart and soul. He's the real deal as far as I'm concerned. Shutter Island is a psychological thriller that keeps you guessing right to the end. It's cleverly directed by Martin Scorsese. The script adapted by Laeta Kalogridis is from Dennis Lehane's novel. The story is set in 1954 on a remote, harsh island. There's nothing tropical and relaxing about this island. It is surrounded by craggy rocks, far from the mainland. The only way onto the island is by ferry. Those who are sent to the island never leave. They are the criminally insane. The most violent, and twisted men and women who are locked up, chained, drugged and experimented on.
US Marshall Teddy Daniels and his partner Chuck are sent to the island to investigate the disappearance of one of the patients who escaped and is believed to be hiding somewhere on the island. Her disappearance is a mystery and a search begins that reveals some shocking truths of what is really happening on this unforgiving, dangerous island where no one can be trusted.
I can highly recommend it as a very well written and directed film with excellent acting performances all round. Ben Kingsley plays psychologist, Dr. Cawley, Mark Ruffalo plays Chuck and Michelle Williams plays Dolores.