Shutter Island (2010)

Shutter Island feautures Leonardo DiCaprio staring as an ex-commandant, who has now decided to look into the case of Shutter Island. This film may be rated as a fifteen - but personally I believed it was a twelve, as there isn't any gore and most of the fear is built upon the mystery of the island, and the stereotypical fear of the mentally unstable. The film is set in 1954 - adding another dimention to the plot as it is post holocaust, which for the ex-commandant leaves fresh horrors in his mind, meaning he is haunted my memories from the past. The character is investigating a psyciatric hospital which is set on an island, giving the film an ominous atmosphere as being surrounded by water gives the feeling of being trapped, also adding to the suspence and tension. A very general theme throught the film is that of insanity. For example, as Teddy Daniels (the protagonist) investigates in to his current suspition that there are experiments being carried out on the patients on the island - he slowly starts to loose his sanity and his grasp on what is real or not. My favorite thing about the film, is the perfect use of pathetic fallacy and lighting. For example, at one point in the film, Teddy believes he is on the verge of discovering some new evidence on the island - when a storm starts. This is a pathetic fallacy because as Teddy nears closer to the answers, the lighting bolts become more frequent and brighter. The lighting is exelent with the lightning, as it will all of a sudden spotlight an eriee image, adding a dramatic tension to the film. However, the plot - though at first very simple - builds and builds untill you are sure you know the truth about Shutter Island, when suddenly there is a dramatic twist at the end. For some, this would be an exelent was to plot the film, but I thought it got rather confusing as the storyline got more and more complicated. Then, just as you had started to work it out, the twist changes everything. It took me all night to finally get my head round Shutter Island, which was aits main downfall. Then again, it stuck in my mind. Perhaps that was a good thing? But there was one line that both helped me to understand, and was quite moving, and it was incredubly well-acted by Leonardo DiCaprio (of course!) I can't get it out of my head: "Would you rather live as a monster, or die a good man?" Here he was refuring to the insanity that was all around him. Engulfing him. Overall I would say this film in terms of horror could be a twelve, but I would put it at fifteen simply because it was so hard to follow. However in general, I think this is a well acted film that will definately keep you thinking.