Scorsese delivers again

Rating: 8/10 (28 February 2010)

Though not a masterpiece, Shutter Island delivers the goods and left me pretty much satisfied with what I witnessed on the screen. I don't believe Martin Scorsese has ever done a bad movie. I even enjoyed Cape Fear, which seems to be the movie which most critic's believe is his weakest film, and Shutter Island gives you what you want in a suspenseful thriller.
It's 1954 and Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo) are detectives investigating the disappearance of one of the inmates on Shutter Island, which is an asylum for the violent and criminally insane. THe problem is that Teddy has skeletons of his own in the closet, and it is these same skeletons that hinder his investigation somewhat because he has nightmares of World War 2 when he was involved with liberating a concentration camp in Germany. He also has dreams of his dead wife who was seemingly killed in a fire set by a person who might or might not be an inmate on Shutter Island as well. WHat is real, and what is not? THese are questions that Teddy asks himself and make him feel as if maybe he is becoming a little unhinged.
THe final act comes as somewhat of a surprise, but it was something that I saw coming nearly a half hour in when the first walking nightmare, as another character mentions, appears. Still, after the movie, I found myself asking some more questions, and they are questions I won't mention because I don't want to give any secrets away for those who haven't seen it. I'll just say that as a thriller filled with mysteries, this film works real well.
Shutter Island is a movie packed with suspense, and it delivers the shocks as well, keeping you on the edge of your seat. The score worked well with the suspense, and the acting, including two key roles by Ben Kingsley and Max Von Sydow as the doctors on Shutter Island, were all well done. Even the minor roles worked effectively to keep the pace and suspense of the film strong throughout the movie's entire run time.
With the exception of the finale being a little expected, I still found Shutter Island to be a very well made movie. It ratchets up the suspense and then shocks you even more. THat is the way thrillers involving mystery should always be handled. Not Scorsese's greatest film, but not a weak movie either and better than many other movies of the same caliber. THis is one that is definitely recommended.