Issue date: 3/2/10 Section: Arts & Entertainment

There are certain things, like fixing a transmission, cleaning a grouper or flying a plane, that are better left to an expert. Perhaps, if you or I tried some of these things, the result would not be as good as it should, but when in the hands of a master, they often lead to the greatest outcome. When it comes to film, there are no better hands to be placed in than those of Martin Scorsese.

This time around, Scorsese brings his mastery of the art to the adaptation of the Dennis Lehane novel, "Shutter Island." The plot is based around a mental institution for the criminally insane, constructed on an island off the coast of Massachusetts. Federal Marshall Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his partner, Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), are assigned to travel to the island to investigate the escape of a female patient.

The film begins as a mystery with the brilliant mind of Daniels' working rapidly to try to put all of the pieces together. Although the institute's staff are not being as cooperative as Daniels would like, he finds a note in the missing patients room that he believes is implying that there is a secret patient at the hospital. Although he is told there are only 66 patients, the note hints that there may be actually 67.

Frustrated with the uncooperative and shady attitudes of the hospital workers, Teddy and his partner decide that they want to leave the island but are detained by a terrible storm that punishes the locale. With all the power down, Daniels is able to sneak into forbidden areas and he interviews one patient, who creates even more mystery by arousing suspicions that things are not as they seem and a cunning trick may be being played on Daniels. However, Daniels also reveals that there are some ulterior motives for his wanting to come to the island, one is to confront his wife's alleged killer, and the other is to assert his theory that the hospital is a cover-up for secret government experiments to control individuals minds.

As everything begins to unfold and Teddy becomes more personally affected by the revelations, he suffers from migraines and then becomes suspicious of everyone around him. For him, the key is to find the missing patient, find his wife's killer, find out what goes on at the secretive lighthouse (where he believes the brain surgeries are being performed) and escape from the island safely with his partner.

From the first ten minutes of the film, it is clear that Scorsese has complete domination over every aspect of the filmmaking process. There are quick, almost choppy cuts that provide the audience with a sense of uncertainty about what is happening. There is also the use of music and sound, which Scorsese manipulates at certain times to create both tension and suspense. There are also some amazing shots that seem indistinctive to the average viewer but actually add a lot to the film, which pretty much cements this as a Scorsese trademark by now.

DiCaprio, Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley and Michelle Williams all provide spectacular performances that bring out the film's characters with rich emotion and palpability. DiCaprio's stellar performance in this film was nothing short of perfect. The gifted actor moves stealthily through the vast array of emotions that he is required to convey.

There are lots of twists and surprises in this film, hopefully none will get spoiled for you before you go see it. Even if this is the case though, it is still a highly enjoyable film. It is a great ride conducted by what is certainly one of the greatest directors of all time.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools