Review of Shutter Island (2010) by Tony H — 26 Jan 2013

'Shutter Island' begins with a very interesting start and I went into it "clean", having avoided all the publicity and reviews. I really had no idea what it was about, or who was even in it (other than Di Caprio). The basic setup is handled very well and is fairly snappy, getting to the point quickly. In short, we're presented with the two feds (previously unacquainted) on a ferry to the asylum to investigate the bizarre disappearance of a female inmate. The presentation is superb and it all feels very "noir".

However, around the hour mark after the feds have been on the island for a little bit, the film tends to trail off somewhat. That's not to say it gets boring, it doesn't, but I certainly felt my interest going. One of the main reasons for this is the fact that the punchline is rather obvious and anyone watching the film will come to the same conclusion that presents itself at the end. In addition, the investigation is so outlandish and Di Caprio's character seems like a tortured individual from the outset, that it becomes difficult not to see this train coming from a long way away. Something is obviously wrong in the world of 'Shutter Island' as well as Teddy Daniels and putting 2 and 2 together ain't that hard. Any fan of the 'Twilight Zone', or stories of that ilk will have the "twist" sussed out in a flash. Which, is extremely unfortunate for the film as a whole.

Apart from that, it's generally handled in a competent manner. But I feel that Scorsese has pulled back from his form of old and is content to go by-the-numbers too often these days. As far as I am concerned he still hasn't made a "great" film since 'Goodfellas', which is very difficult to top I admit.

On a side note, I find it extremely hard to watch anything with Di Caprio in it. He's one of the most overrated actors working at the moment. He's quite hammy in this at times, or maybe it's the fact that the other actors around him show him up for what he is. Although, in fairness he has the hardest part to play. There's great support from Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Max von Sydow and everyone else concerned, but the story itself is the film's greatest letdown...