A Classic From Martin Scorsese

Rating: 8/10 (19 January 2015)

U.S. marshal Teddy Daniels is assigned to investigate the disappearance of a patient from Ashecliffe Hospital on Shutter Island (a place he's been pushing to investigate due to personal reasons). Before long, however, Daniels starts to doubt the reasons why he was given the assignment as he starts to piece together a seemingly twisted plot by hospital doctors, headed by Dr. Cawley. Daniels' investigation soon brings about a promising lead, but Cawley refuses access to records he suspects would break the case open. Daniels soon starts to have vivid hallucinations & dreams which start to question his sanity and the puzzling, improbable clues multiply, and soon he begins to doubt everything - his memory, his partner, even his own sanity.
If only all psychological thrillers were as good as Shutter Island we'd be in for a treat. This is an all-round great film...well written, great cast, excellent suspense with fantastic atmosphere. It's a very dark & moody film with a really good story that slowly unfolds nicely as it goes along.
The setting of a mental institution is perfect for a movie of this style as well (and is a favourite of mine) because when done right, you will be hard pushed to find a more darker, creepier setting. It IS a complicated story, however, and you do need to pay attention right from the off with no distractions i.e. no kids making noise or wife continuously asking questions.
The movie may take a couple of watches to see things that you possibly missed, and honestly if you do miss anything, make sure you re-watch them because when you understand what is going on, it will make it that much better, believe me. The ending is the clincher, though, and it's here that the whole movie comes together perfectly.
Shutter Island is definitely one of those "must see" films, and if you've not seen it then shame on you because you're missing a real gem.