Saw 'Shutter Island' in the theatre yesterday. I think the appropriate genre to classify it as would be 'Physiological Drama' because although its quite tense, and has some lovely imagery, for all that it was set in an insane asylum it wasn't much of a 'thriller'.
That said, I quite liked it. I went into the movie sort-of spoiled for the ending, but even so, surprisingly the movie managed to keep me guessing until the end- mostly without using any cheap tricks to do so.
The film was engaging, and beautiful, and a stern reminder that no, Leonardo DiCaprio is not just 'that guy from Titanic'.
I'm not sure I know many people who would enjoy this film the way I did; after all, I'm quite fond of The Legend of Bagger Vance, and while Shutter Island isn't nearly as quiet a movie as that, it still doesn't have much in common with your average thriller, and if psychological self-discovery and a decent mystery aren't enough to keep you engaged, you're going to be disappointed.
While the story might have been quite low-key, at least compared to the way the movie was advertised, the visuals were something I don't think anyone could be dissatisfied with. No, there were no major 'special effects' scenes, etc, but the use of color, composition- well, let me say this, as its not a spoiler. The main character Teddy has recurring nightmares in which falling ashes feature prominently. And it was gorgeous.
Anyway, I'm just rambling. The movie was introspective, beautifully shot, amazingly acted, and had hats.
I give it an 8.5/10
-David
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