Annastashia Goolsby
Secrets of Shutter Island Mental Institution
Known for his Oscar winning films such as “The Departed,” “Goodfellas” and “The Aviator,” Martin Scorsese may as well already be nominated for “Shutter Island,” staring Leonardo DiCaprio. This physcological thriller will have the audience fully engaged until the end credits.
Set in Boston of 1954, U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels’ (DiCaprio) is sent to a remote island in search of an escapee from a highly protected mental institution. It baffles Daniels’ that the patient was able to escape a locked cell, pass guards and slip through an electric fence surrounding the facility.
In the inspection for the escapee, Daniels’ stumbles across information he should not have. He plans to break free two patients that he believes are innocent and uncovers a detainee with scarce documentation, all the while not knowing he is being watched.
This is not a typical thriller film that causes one to shriek out loud. As much as it is one, this thriller has viewers trying to predict the next step and decipher the hidden truth of Marshal Daniels’.
For a total run time of 138 minutes, there is not boredom once, but the desire to rewind and play a scene again or even pay another $10 to watch once more.
Scorsese knows how to captivate his audience by building up to the climax with a strong instrumental soundtrack and giving the crowd a bang they came looking for.
On a secluded island, as Daniels’ calls, “for the criminally insane,” there is the potential feeling of someone lurking in the dark shadows or behind a corner. After all, every patient committed a crime to be placed in such a ward.
Most of the sinister scenes of the film were previewed in commercials, so if seeking a horror movie, keep looking. Instead, Scorsese engrosses the spectators by almost tricking one to actually believe what seems like a lie.
The question of what is the truth remains in thought throughout the entire feature. It seems as if not one character is telling the truth, even Teddy Daniels’ himself.
In a twisted, yet with a hint of romance and reality, this movie is worth sitting in hard cushioned seats with stale popcorn. In such a dark theater, it is almost inevitable to not turn around and double check the rustle of the feet that shuffled by.
Be careful not to get sucked into the plot of this movie, regardless of how attractive Leonardo DiCaprio is with his Chicago accent. If it can happen to an extremely intelligent marshal, like the prisoners said, “You will never leave this island.”
