Shutter Island (2010): A Review

Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a U.S. Marshall that has been assigned to work a case on an island in the middle of nowhere. Rachael (Emily Mortimer) has escaped from the mental institution there and Daniels must help locate her. Teddy taking this assignment was by no means a mistake. He's also looking for the man that started an apartment fire that killed his wife. After the first day of investigation, he realizes that something isn't quite right at Ashecliffe Hospital for The Criminally Insane and he takes it upon himself to delve deeper into the investigation.

Several films have tried to capture the essence of the criminally insane, but none have come close to the superiority of Shutter Island. Martin Scorsese is an absolute genius and deserves a page in the book of filmmaking history. Every single actor in this film did an amazing job. Their dialogue was spot on and emotion almost dripped from all of them. Jackie Earle Haley specifically played his character to the letter, an actor that has really mastered the art of being creepy. I have to give credit where credit is due, and this film wouldn't be the same without a strong lead man. Leo and Scorsese have become one of the most dynamic combos in the business, one that is most definitely on par with Scorsese and De Niro. The lighting was done in such a way that the island had a very sinister and ominous feel to it. This isn't your typical thriller movie. It doesn't have loads of action or mindless violence. Instead, it lets the viewer actually feel the main elements of the film through high levels of suspense. The story keeps you guessing until the end with plenty of twists and turns. Overall, it's genius and deserves a watch from all, 9/10.