Close The Shutters

Rating: 9/10 (6 May 2019)

Scorsese helms a virtuous psychological thriller based on Dennis Lehane's novel of the same title. Excellent direction, screenplay, cinematography, settings, costume, special effects, score, editing and acting. The score and settings are as chilling as the characters and storyline. The entire cast delivers superlative performances. DiCaprio and Ruffalo command the screen. Their portrayals of two U.S. marshalls, Teddy Daniels and Chuck Aule compliment each other perfectly. The plot is flawless as the two marshalls attempt to solve the mystery of an escaped patient, Rachel Solando who is considered to be extremely dangerous, from an asylum for the criminally insane. The asylum is located on an island and after brief questioning the detectives seem satisfied to return to the mainland. However an impending storm forces the two to stay on the island longer than anticipated which leads to more investigating and the uncovering of a miscount in the number of patients at the asylum. There should be 67 patients. Now the genuine mystery begins. The detectives are assisted in their search for the patient with the help on Dr. Cawley, the Assistant Warden and the staff. As their investigation continues events begin to unfold that trigger Teddy's subconscious forcing him to face the reality of his past which involves a horrific incident involving his wife Dolores Chanal. The investigation takes the detectives to the darkest depths of the asylum and the island where Teddy encounters Andrew Laeddis. Teddy's focus is turned to a lighthouse just off shore after he locates Rachel. He believes sinister acts are occurring there. When he eventually reaches the lighthouse the real truth about patient 67 is revealed by Dr. Cawley. Teddy learns that Chuck isn't he who appears to be, and through the law of 4 that Rachael and Andrew are also not as they appear. The shocking truth behind Teddy's investigation is a psychological mind bender. The plot is thrilling, creepy, intense, inventive, sublime, violent, dark, ingenious and has a cathartic ending. There are many memorable scenes filled with symbolism. There are also many profound quotes in the film none better than in the last scene when Teddy asks, 'Which would be worse, to live as a monster or to die as a good man?'. That scene confused many film goers due to it's ambiguity. This viewer's opinion is the investigation is starting all over again and the revelations at the lighthouse proved to be ineffective. It may have helped that I read the novel. In fact I've read all of Lehane's novels many of which have been adapted to film. Scorsese has proven he is one of the best directors in all genre of film. To date this is his masterpiece for this genre.