"Shutter Island" Movie Review

The movie Shutter Island, based off Denise Lehane's 2003 novel of the same name, is another one of my favourites. I just think while watching it that there's so many interpretations that can be made and so many different things to look into besides just the story. It's a thriller and hell does it stick to that name well.

The plot follows our protagonist Edward "Teddy" Daniels, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, and his new partner Chuck, both U.S marshals, who travel to Ashecliffe Hospital for the criminally insane on Shutter Island in Boston Harbour. The reason for the two marshals heading there is to investigate the disappearance of a patient Rachel Solando, put inside for drowning her 3 children. However, when he gets there and looks deeper into the mystery it turns out there's a heck of a lot more going on than Daniels first thought. The plot thickens and then there's back story into Daniels' past showing his wife who we assume had passed away. He starts to get more migraines, illusions and soon we come to question if any of it is real. I really can't say much else without giving the story away because I'll just end up spoiling the film but there's a huge plot twist at the end which makes Inception seem simple. 

The film really puts you on edge. It's not a horror but it has the suspense of one. The music is eerie, the camera angles are odd, the acting is spot-on so they seem genuinely scared and confused and the plot is just so crazy. It's simple at first but you only gather a fraction of it. Its high on atmosphere and great on the visuals. The flash-back scenes are filmed beautifully. When learning about Teddy's history with the army with one particular scene the screenplay is great. Just the perfect amount of slow-motion, close-ups and great music just make it for me.  That's just all me I suppose. I like a film that makes me think. I also like films that throw you completely off. They know the conventions so they really abuse them and change them. The scene I just talked about with the flashback has music that is actually quite fast so it elevates that feeling of panic. Its great. 

Overall I think its a great film. It's not one to sit down to on a Friday night with friends but definitely deserves a sit down and watch to later in the evening. The ending will blow you away too!