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Shutter Island, released out on February 2010 and directed by Martin Scorsese, is based on the Dennis Lehane’s novel of the same name.
The leading role belongs to Leonardo Di Caprio (and please, those who didn’t appreciate him in Titanic, don’t be put off by that, it’s an outstanding movie), so is the rest of the cast: we can found great actors like Ben Kingsley or even Mark Ruffalo (Hulk for intimates ;- ) ).
So, concerning the story. It’s a psychological-drama thriller.
The plot takes place in a psychiatric hospital located to an island off the coast of Boston: the mentally deficient patients are very dangerous indeed.
Our main character, the U.S. Marshal Edward "Teddy" Daniels, was sent on the island for investigate about the mysterious disappearance of a patient : Rachel Solando, incarcerated for drowning her three children.
However, during his inquiry, the Marshal will gradually feed doubts against the asylum’s director. He begins believing the medical crew carries out experiments on their patients.
His doubts will be confirmed by Rachel – who has been “found” by some staff – when she explains to the Marshal that she was a psychologist for the asylum, until she discovered, upset, the experiments with psychotropic medication in an attempt to develop mind control techniques.
But appearances are deceptive… and memories devastating.
Now, my opinion: I found this movie very gripping indeed, because it’s only at the very end that we are able to really understand the story.
I’m not saying that all which is before the final denouement is useless: this part of the movie possesses its own coherency.
In fact, you can watch two stories: the first one, where you can make up your own surmises; and the second one, where you understand what it really happened. I think it’s the biggest strength of this movie.
Gripping, full of complex and unexpected rebounds, and even pathetic sometimes, it’s a movie to see.
I hope I bring you round.