Drew's

Date Reviewed	2/26/2010
Title	Shutter Island
Rating
Directed By :	Martin Scorsese
Starring :	Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Emily Mortimer, Patricia Clarkson, Michelle Williams and Max von S
Review	In Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio’s fourth film together, Leo stars as U.S. Marshall Teddy Daniels. His assignment is off the coast of Massachusetts and Rhode Island at a remote place titled “Shutter Island.” Set in 1952, this location is presumably missing one of their residents. This institution is a private mental hospital for the criminally insane with three primary facilities. There is one for males, one for females and one for the most dangerous and volatile patients. Teddy’s supposed to discover what happened to one of their permanent tenants but has a more personal agenda. Mark Ruffalo co-stars as Teddy’s first time partner from Seattle, Chuck. Ben Kingsley has a pivotal role as Dr. Cawley. He seems to call all the shots once away from the mainland. Max von Sydow is Dr. Naehring, another high ranking internal physician. Michelle Williams only appears with pretty dresses in past sequences as Teddy’s wife Dolores. Emily Mortimer and Patricia Clarkson hardly have any screen time as Rachel and Rachel. It’s a shame they have limited parts since they are both so highly talented and command a crowd. The familiar cast expands as we see supporting assistance from Jackie Earle Haley, Elias Koteas, Ted Levine and John Carroll Lynch. The film builds suspense right from the start. Anticipation fills the auditorium with curious suspicion. Scorsese and his movie team grab hold of each ticket buyer while painting the screen with a forecast of horror. Unfortunately they cannot maintain that gripping feeling throughout the picture. There’s no doubt it’s a well crafted first run feature. We see shades of Hitchcock’s “Vertigo” and “North by Northwest” mix with the overzealous coast to form watery blasts, dangerous depths and elusive visuals. I have no issues with the performances or cinematography. I do however; have a giant issue I simply cannot ignore. There’s an extremely obvious moment in the film, a common communication exchange that gives away the primary plot conclusion. I watch mysteries with skepticism waiting to be fooled. Others may allow the casual dialogue to be dismissed like water off a duck’s behind. Once tipped off to the whole enchilada, little gaps were filled in to round out the finale. I never forgive screenwriters for too many flashbacks, dreamy montages and multiple identities. The payoff failed to truly pay off. Yeah I know; the book’s likely better than its cinematic version. Even a below mediocre Scorsese film is better than eighty percent of Hollywood surplus. Drew's Reviews, copyright 2010, Drewsmoviereviews.com, property of Drew Bean.