Many consider Leonardo DiCaprio to be the best actor of his generation. For some this statement is not speculation or hyperbole — it is fact.
Since turning in a string of high−caliber performances that date back to Martin Scorsese's 2002 crime epic "Gangs of New York," DiCaprio began to establish himself as the most prominent leading man of the 21st century. With the release of "Shutter Island," his latest collaboration with Scorsese, DiCaprio gives another superb performance, cementing his position at the top of the heap of Hollywood actors.
Based on the 2003 Dennis Lehane novel of the same name, the film opens in 1954 with Federal Marshal Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio) suffering from seasickness aboard a ferry that is on its way to a mental institution located on the secluded Shutter Island off the coast of Massachusetts. Teamed with fellow marshal Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), Daniels is sent to Ashecliffe Hospital for the Criminally Insane to investigate the disappearance of a patient. When the two arrive, they are greeted by electric fences and armed guards. They begin to realize that Ashecliffe is not a normal mental institution and that they are not going to get the open−and−shut case that they hoped for.
When a severe storm hits, Daniels and Aule are forced to stay extra nights on the island. They interrogate a few of the patients who knew the missing woman and find a clue that may hold the answer to her whereabouts. But midway through, it becomes clear that Daniels has other motives for coming to Shutter Island. Through brief flashbacks and dream sequences, the audience comes to understand Daniels' past as a World War II soldier and, later, as a husband back in Boston.
DiCaprio's performance is phenomenal. His role requires stunning depth, and he pulls it off flawlessly and disappears into the character. He is fierce in the beginning and vulnerable toward the end, but the intensity of his performance never wavers.
At first glance, Ruffalo's performance as Chuck Aule appears a bit dull. He is a quiet sidekick, speaking only when necessary. His suppressed character, however, is a perfect fit for the film's surprising end. Ben Kingsley is both feeble and quietly stern as Dr. Cawley, the head of Ashecliffe's operations. Michelle Williams, best known for her Oscar−nominated role in "Brokeback Mountain" (2005), fits perfectly as Dolores, Daniels' deceased wife, in the flashbacks and dream sequences.
Both the story and the direction unsurprisingly match the quality of the cast. Scorsese brings the audience into an eerie and sinister environment. At times, the director employs distracting lighting techniques that may be uncomfortable to watch, but these scenes are consistent with the tone of the film. He also frequently shoots close−ups of DiCaprio, capturing the madness on his face perfectly. This is the fourth film Scorsese and DiCaprio have shot together, and their chemistry is obvious throughout the movie. When director and actor are in sync, everything in a film feels more natural and believable, and "Shutter Island" is no exception to this rule.
Musically, the film excels as well. The classical selections chosen by music supervisor Robbie Robertson are dark and simple, but they resonate with the movie's tone. Silence also plays a crucial role; in some scenes, the suspense is built without any music at all.
The movie has a few faults. The running time is 138 minutes, which makes it a fairly long movie for today's standards, but it can feel even longer as the plot drags at points before the explosive ending. The climax has a few twists, but the narrative may be too clever for its own good, potentially leaving viewers confused. The final scene, however, is an excellent and haunting conclusion that is sure to leave viewers pondering the meaning of the entire film.
