Review : Shutter Island

Film : Shutter Island
Director : Martin Scorsese
Writer : Laeta Kalogridis,Dennis Lehane ( novel)
Cast : Leonardo DiCaprio,Ben Kingsley,Mark Ruffalo,Michelle Williams
English
138 mins


Martin Scorsese has never made an all out film about madness or psychological disability until this one.Again,DiCaprio teams up with Scorsese for the fifth time and their combo is always rewarding for filmgoers as its always a winning collaboration.The subject matter here isn't very heavy but its packaged in such a richly enjoyable manner which is a feast for the senses.Both visual and mentally stimulating,this film requires absolute attention or prepared to be left in the dark halfway through.

Neither a murder mystery nor a supernatural horror,this film is a masterfully crafted depiction of one man's inner turmoil writhing in deep regrets of his painful past reminiscent of The Machinist(2004) starring Christian Bale which was a really haunting film.The film starts off with DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo as US Marshalls on duty to Ashville,a mental asylum isolated from the world in Shutter Island  to investigate a case of a missing inmate.DiCaprio's character is introduced as turbulent and aggresive and remains such throughout until the end,you'll understand why if watch it,if i reveal too much,it'll kill the fun of watching it.

The film then begins to take on many facets - it may appear to be a government -linked conspiracy thriller,maybe a medical conspiracy backed by greedy corporations/government,a psychological supernatural horror or even a murder mystery ala Hitchcock or Midsommer Murders on Hallmark!What exactly it is?You find out yourself !Its quite hard on the brain though as the details are mind-numbing,thankfully,the film is a visual feast,the cinematography,art direction,editing and most importantly the score is immaculate.Its been a long time since i came across a music score which compliments the visuals so perfectly,a few comes my mind,especially Psycho (1960),The Exorcist ( 1973) and The Omen,all which are famous classic horror masterpieces.The color scheme is mostly grayscale in the present timeline and cheery 50's for the flashback scenes which is an interesting combo.Sitting through all of its 138 mins running time would've been a challenge if not for the above technical mastery and the under the hands of a maestro like Scorsese and performer as intense and captivating as DiCaprio,it was a hugely involving experience.                                                                               
                                                                                                                        
An interesting revelation which enlightened me as i was watching the film are the spiritual connotations that clicked in me towards the climax.The character's karma is massive and him being a soldier,most of whom don't have and never had the chance of developing their spiritual self,are bound to spiral into deep dark wells of psychological trauma never again to see the light at the end of their tunnels ever again.Why?Its only through spiritual or universe-connected intellects that a man/woman can free themselves from the doom brought on by mortal attachments which gives rise to anger,jealousy,greed,self-hatred and other vicious traits in them.In this case,DiCaprio's character is an emotionally sensitive man who has love in him but not the divine love and awareness of mortal life which a soul as heavily karmic ridden as him should have to live through this harsh lifetime of his.His inability to accept the pain(Buddha) and move on has led him to imprison himself in the eternal jail of his own mind.
A powerful film which will resonate in your mind for a long time.
Now playing nationwide - GSC : MidValley,Berjaya Times Square, Utama,Pavilion,Alamanda Putrajaya
                                        TGV : Suria KLCC,Jusco Bukit Tinggi,Sunway Pyramid,Tebrau City.
Rating : 4 1/2 stars.

Review by
Amreish Siman