DSM-IV

Martin Scorsese is back with a vengeance in Shutter Island.  The eerie sounds of a ship foghorn in the early moments, sets an appropriate creepy backdrop in this thinking man's film.  I must admit that my experience was enhanced by watching the movie late at night, as the only person in the theater.  In fact, the only person in an entire six auditorium cinema.  Had it developed into the horror that I was expecting, things would have gotten just a bit dicey.

There are excellent individual performances by Leonardo DiCaprio and Ben Kingsley.  Kingsley lacks the screen time that his talent surely deserves.  An interesting tidbit about Kingsley, one of the best actors in the industry, is that he was born as Krishna Pandit Bhanji.  His father is of Indian heritage from Kenya.  Mark Ruffalo also does a decent job as DiCaprio's special agent sidekick.

The plot is developed well, and smoothly accelerates ahead with a mix of turns and flashbacks.  Cinematography and character development are excellent, on par with plot and acting.  The dark, brooding atmosphere that Scorsese desires is adequately achieved.  And even though you may figure out what direction the movie is headed, there are enough twists and thinking to keep you guessing until the very end.  And beyond.  It is the kind of movie that will surely generate discussion after it is finished, adding an extra element that makes the film quite intriguing,  In fact, this is at the same time the most satisfying and annoying part of the experience.

Definitely worth watching.  Get some popcorn and check it out, if you haven't already.

Rating:  8 out of 10