'Shutter Island' dir. Martin Scorsese

Scorsese can always be relied on to produce a psychologically complex film. He has certainly done that with Shutter Island. It is the sign of an experienced director when the audience is left with as many questions as answers. Ultimately, we find that many of the assumptions that we had made about what was happening at the start of the film are refuted as the story progresses.

Initially, we follow a US Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leo Di Caprio) as he investigates the disappearance of an inmate from the Ashecliffe Mental Institution based on Shutter Island. As he closes in on an explanation of why she has disappeared, his progress is seemingly obstructed by the presence of Dr. John Cawley, the island's chief psychiatrist. Cawley is played with malevolent calm by Ben Kingsley as initially we are lured into believing that he is obstructing justice.

This impression is further reinforced by the presence of Dr. Jeremiah Naehring (Max von Sydow), a Nazi defector who is rumoured amongst the inmates to use brutal methods to sedate his patients. The post-war atmosphere of suspicion is re-created perfectly in the scenes between Daniels and Naehring. Daniels soon finds himself trapped on the island, unable to rid himself of the suspicion that he is about to suffer a terrible fate.

The atmosphere of paranoia encompasses every scene in Shutter Island. It is a testament to both the acting and direction that it never feels false. Di Caprio is especially believable as Daniels, a damaged individual who has yet to confront his own demons. It is soon revealed just how that damage has affected his judgement.

Daniels begins to collapse under this pressure. He is a man in search of both revenge and justice. These two conflicting goals ultimately lead him to destruction as confusion overtakes him. The ending leaves him every bit as trapped as he was at the start. It has an edge of Hamlet about it yet we can understand perfectly why he has ended up where he is.

Ultimately, Shutter Island leaves a strong impression albeit a somewhat confusing one. It is a disorientating film that questions the nature of mental illness - in itself a divisive subject. There are certain points where it seems Scorsese has been given too much editorial freedom and the ending does rather drag a bit. This is especially true in the final twenty minutes. Nonetheless, it is an excellent story that deserves the accolades.