Shutter Island

Shutter Island is a highly secure facility for convicts suffering from insanity. Under the care of Dr John Cawley (Kingsley), the inmates receive a wide range of treatments under varying levels of security. After one of the patients vanishes from a locked room, US Marshal Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio) and his new partner Chuck Aule (Ruffalo) are called in to investigate her disappearance. They will soon discover that the truth about Shutter Island is very different to what they initially believed.

One of Shutter Island's main strengths is its atmosphere. It is mostly gritty, edgy and dark, allowing the lighter scenes to feel so off that the viewer is left to doubt the honesty of the protagonists. Doubt, in a different genre, shared many of these characteristics with Shutter Island but stopped short of offering a resolution; Shutter Island burrows inside your mind and builds up tension and paranoia to the point that the suggested resolution, whilst perfectly reasonable, leaves you wondering whether there is more to the mental institution than was revealed.

The ambivalent feel of the place is supported by heavy, Philip Glass-style music, and by impressive performances from the admirable cast. In particular, DiCaprio's slowly increasing madness is so convincing that he takes the viewer with him in his retreat into insanity. Scenes from Teddy's past, which could have seemed out of place, feel appropriate thanks to the actor's commendable performance. The memories and flashbacks give an impressive depth to the character the film literally revolves around. Shutter Island promises to take hold of you, immerse you in its world and refuse to let go.

Pierre Schramm