Review of Shutter Island (2010) by Benjamin O — 20 Aug 2017

This is an unrelenting suspense thriller about Teddy Daniels, a WWII veteran and present 1950s US Marshall, investigating the disappearance of a patient from an isolated mental hospital called Shutter Island. The case starts to take more twists and turns than expected as the Marshall learns more about himself and the truth behind his investigation on the island. Firstly, I consider this to be one of Leonardo DiCaprio's finest performances. He is engaging to watch every second of the film and never lets down. Secondly, the cinematography is outstanding. Every frame is poetic and layered with details that greatly enhance the film's perspective through Daniels' eyes. It is safe to say that this film succeeds on a visual scope and is complemented by taut direction and dialogue. Lastly, I didn't find myself moved on a personal or philosophical scale, as I did with many of Scorsese's previous films. On a psychological level, I was blown away.

Grade: A+.