Shutter Island - Blu-Ray

Film: Leonardo Di Caprio and Martin Scorsese have already worked together successfully three times. The highlight so far was undoubtedly the Oscra-winning gangster epic "Departed", which the successful duo now follows up with the superb mystery thriller "Shutter Island".

The story takes place in 1954: U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio) is called to the remote island of Shutter Island with his new partner Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo). At the hospital there, which houses the worst of the mentally ill criminals, a patient has disappeared without a trace from her locked cell. Teddy and Chuck are assigned to track down the missing woman, but get little help from the hospital staff and guards. As a major hurricane approaches the island, Teddy desperately tries to further the investigation. But the further he gets into the supposed truth, the clearer it becomes that nothing here is as it seems. More and more Teddy's own psyche is put under pressure and soon he has to doubt his own sanity.

"Shutter Island", based on the best-selling book by Dennis Lehane ("Mystic River", "Gone, Baby, Gone") is an excellent thriller that blends elements of the classic crime thriller with those of a conspiracy thriller and tangible psychological horror to create an atmospheric whole. The viewer is kept guessing until the surprising ending, especially when Scorsese increasingly blurs the lines between reality and hallucinations, between the present and the past.

Shot on the rocky shores of Peddocks Island, some 160 kilometres from Boston, and on magnificently appointed sets, the film's underlying gloomy atmosphere is evident. With purposefully used visual effects and a perfectly chosen soundtrack (especially the use of Max Richter's spherical instrumental piece "On the Nature of Daylight" is simply great), Martin Scorsese has given the novel its very own character on the screen, which raises this film far above the level of other works in the genre.

Of course, the very good cast also contributes a large part to this. Even the smallest supporting roles are filled with such outstanding actors as Max von Sydow, Michelle Williams, Ted Levine, Jackie Earle Haley and Patricia Clarkson. Ben Kingsley finally gets to show off his full class once again and Mark Ruffalo also delivers a very understated, yet convincing performance. The undisputed star of the film, however, is Leonardo DiCaprio, who makes it hauntingly clear why a directorial great like Martin Scorsese is always happy to put him in front of the camera as the lead. It's sad that DiCaprio still has the image of the "Titanic" teen star among some viewers and critics. But the actor has already shown his versatile skills several times. And once again, Leonardo DiCaprio proves to be quite the actor, bringing this multifaceted and very complex character to life in a very haunting way.

Admittingly, "Shutter Island" is not Scorsese's best film. There are a few moments when the story threatens to get lost in its own tangles. But in the end, especially with the final twist in the last minute (which, as discussions after the press screening have shown, is open to various interpretations, although I think Teddy's last words in the film make it very clear), the small weaknesses are quickly forgotten. Because "Shutter Island" is, all in all, a great thriller with mystery and horror elements, which can inspire with its haunting atmosphere and the strong acting of its actors. Therefore: Absolutely recommendable!!!

Picture + Sound: The deliberately trimmed to old picture with its reduced, slightly washed out colors is despite low contrast and resulting weaknesses in the sharpness of detail especially in the darker scenes very clean and absolutely trouble-free. In the few bright outdoor shots or in the flashbacks, it becomes clear that the "weaknesses"are a stylistic device intended by the director, which is why they should not be judged negatively.

The sound remains discreet and rather front-heavy for long stretches, with real surround effects hardly offered even by the few sound effects or ambient noises. The atmosphere of the action is nevertheless captured very well. Overall, there is a deserved for the technical implementation: good to very good!

Extras: Here the disc disappoints a little. Only two rather short featurettes about the making of the film and about the history of psychiatry in the USA can be seen here. Interesting, but unfortunately too short to offer any really in-depth information. A director's commentary or a more detailed documentary on the atmospheric filming location would have been desirable here.

Conclusion: "Shutter Island" is not Scorsese's best film, but a damn good mystery thriller it certainly is. Immersed in atmospheric imagery and played especially first-rate by Leonardo DiCaprio, the film offers top-notch, intelligent entertainment. The Blu-Ray is technically on a good level, but disappoints with the extras. Absolutely recommendable

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp