‘Shutter Island’ leaves viewers in the dark

I highly recommend the new Martin Scorcese film “Shutter Island,” but with some mild reservations. It would be helpful to schedule a week of rocking back and forth in the fetal position fully clothed in the shower after seeing it.

Leonardo DiCaprio has gained some acting chops in his career. Teaming up with Scorcese once again, Leo plays Teddy Daniels, a U.S. Marshall sent to a small island off Boston with his new partner Chuck (Mark Ruffalo).

They travel to Shutter Island, an institution for the criminally insane, to investigate the baffling disappearance of one of the more dangerous patients, played by Emily Mortimer, who drowned her three kids.

The doctors of the institution (Ben Kingsley and Max Von Sydow) are just as baffled.
There was no possible way for the inmate to escape, what with the maximum security, jagged rocks and poison ivy lining the entire island and all, causing Teddy and Chuck to dive deeper into the mysteries of Shutter Island.

If it seems like I have said too much about the movie, don’t worry.  To dive any deeper into the plot would only soften the blow of the film, which is a haunting and unforgettable mind screw.

Actually, the film doesn’t just screw your mind; it screws it and leaves without saying goodbye.

Shutter Island has the feel of an old-time film noir mixed with some modern day cinematography and gothic horror, setting a mood of discomfort.

The main character is a troubled and complex character, played with perfection by DiCaprio.

The rest of the cast, including Kingsley, Mortimer and Michelle Williams, seen in flashbacks and visions as Teddy’s dead wife, play their roles with haunting conviction.

What makes this film stick out is its labyrinthine storytelling, and for most of the time, you have no idea what is going on or why things happen.

There were parts where I started to actually get frustrated because nothing was making sense. It is even more frustrating when you think the movie explains itself, then suddenly it doubles back on itself to explain that what was just explained was not actually explained at all.

It’s still a mesmerizing journey to take, and the ending pays off. I suspect, from the audience I was with, though, the ending will polarize viewers.

A lot goes on in this movie, and some parts I am not even sure have any purpose in the movie.

A lot can be debated in the movie with no wrong answers. That is how intricate this movie is.

It is a thriller, but more of a psychological thriller. Do not get me wrong though, you will still jump out of your seat a few times.

But a psychological movie should make you think and thrill your mind.

“Shutter Island” does just that, providing insight into what is going on sparingly as if following bread crumbs.

Then at the end, you’re not sure if you were actually following breadcrumbs, or if there were even bread crumbs to follow to begin with. The film is open to interpretation and provides plenty of room for debate.

Consider yourself warned, the power of this movie will drive you insane as you try to figure it out, if anything meant anything at all. I am starting to suspect Paramount released this film to drive people so insane they admit themselves into Shutter Island.

I already admitted myself.

This entire review was written from my dimly lit cell within Shutter Island.