A solid thriller if not a little over rated. The twist isn't truly so twisty

Rating: 8/10 (8 July 2010)

Everyone I ever spoke to that had seen Shutter Island raved about it. I don't disagree that the film was very entertaining and a solid thriller but I felt like maybe people saw more originality in it than I did. It was well worth seeing and impressed me so don't get me wrong but it wasn't a mind blowing Scorsese classic in my opinion. In fact I think this was one of Scorsese's more mainstream films, although I've never really seen him as the 'amazing' 'monster' director everyone else does. I usually find he tries too hard to be unique. Still Shutter Island's creepy setting, and isolated prison is very well done and keeps you enthralled. The entire film happens on Shutter Island but you won't soon be tired of the setting as it takes the lead character from the prison like rooms to the coast of the island and back. Add in the time period of the mid fifties, and then toss a Hurricane at the Island to boot and you have the perfect suspense thriller setting to keep things moving. But by the time you add some of these key features it might start to feel a little predictable which you don't really expect from the film or from Scorsese. You can say a lot about him but predictable isn't usually his alma mater.
Leonardo DiCaprio, who truly impressed in Scorsese's previous smash success The Departed (see my review), and is great in his role as U.S. Marshall Teddy Daniels. You very quickly realize that something far more sinister is at work through the eyes of DiCaprio. Despite a solid supporting cast the film does really revolve around him and if anything you can say that DiCaprio can carry a film. He is very watchable and always gives a roll his all and makes everything seem mysterious in the film. Mark Ruffalo plays DiCaprio's new partner and right off the bat his vibe is one of mystery. Ruffalo has really honed his acting skill over the years because I used to find him downright dull but he really is showing some spirit. He plays a great role and has solid chemistry opposite DiCaprio. A master of his craft Ben Kingsley seems like the ideal choice for Shutter Island lead doctor Dr. Cawley. And indeed he is however somehow I expected for maniacal behaviour from him. But in essence that does defeat the purpose of the story. Kingsley gives a solid very interesting performance. On top of that the amazing Max von Sydow plays Kingsley's partner in a small but very effectively disturbing role. John Carroll Lynch has a small role as well but is really excellent as the Deputy for the Island. In fact I would have liked to have seen him more in the film.
Shutter Island's big hook is the twist to the whole story and the unravelling of the mystery. My issue is that the final solution is really a bit predictable and not very exciting. I don't consider myself very smart when it comes to solving cinematic mysteries but I think I had it all figured out by the time the ending rolled. I don't know what I wanted from the ending but with the set up and the creepy atmosphere of Shutter Island I guess I felt a little bit let down. With that aside you won't be disappointed in seeing Shutter Island. Maybe I had high expectations given how many people raved about the film. If you're looking for a solid thriller or even something with a dash of horror film then you won't be disappointed with Shutter Island. 8/10