Plot
Two US Marshalls are partnered together for the first time in 1954, are called to an small island facility that deals with the criminally insane when one of their patients go missing.
The leader of the pair, Teddy Daniels – is dealing with the recent loss of his wife, and his ulterior motives for going to the island are to find the man who killed her. But as the investigations grow, his own mental wellbeing is called into question when he begins having visions of his dead wife.
Direction
Great direction from the visionary Martin Scorsese; who shines in his work in period films. The setting of 1954 is practically flawless, as well as the location of the insane asylum. The ‘foreshadowing’ of the end of movie twists are well placed – and even knowing the twist are sometimes so subtle that they are hard to read.
There are the usual camera angles to assist in the story – such as tight close shots within the confines of the jail during Teddy’s investigations – to wider open shots outside. I liked the sweeping shots used early in the film, in which the camera almost acts as the character looking from one object (or person) to another.
There is some brief very poor use of a green screen early on, but this does not reflect my end score.
Cast/Characters
Leo DiCaprio plays Teddy, and proves that he is one of the best actors of his generation. He shines under the direction of Scorsese, and its no wonder they have done so many projects together. If I were to be overly critical, I felt he might have been a tad young to play the character at the time – especially given the end of movie twist.
Mark Ruffalo plays Teddy’s new partner Chuck Aule, and the subtle nuances of his performance are spot on – especially given the reveal of his character in the final act of the film.
Secondary cast members include legendary screen giants Ben Kingsley and Max Von Sydow as two of the Dr’s at the asylum who ‘assist’ the Marshalls in their quest.
Michelle Williams, Emily Mortimer and Patricia Clarkson also play important secondary roles as well. I wish some of them had a little more screen time, especially due to their acting abilities
Screenplay/Setting/Themes
The primary setting, of an asylum on a small island, to me felt like an unsung character itself as it is mentioned so frequently throughout. It both keeps its patients locked up, and also trapped. Even the Marshall’s who wish to leave at some stages cannot, due to the weather conditions.
The screenplay as mentioned before is quite clever in the way it foreshadows the big twist in the final act, by subtle character cues (Aule’s gun) and the way the camera angles are positioned (guards standing behind Teddy).
The timeline is also important, as other significant events are brought into the screenplay, such as Teddy’s previous life in the war is mentioned throughout.
Score/Soundtrack
A suspenseful score adds to the tension of the film, as well as classical music being integrated into the screenplay that also plays part of Teddy’s backstory including his time in the war – and why he is at the island in the final reveal.
Overall
Near perfect thriller/suspense film by Scorsese with Leonardo DiCaprio giving a brilliant performance. The mystery of his time on the island gives one of the better twist endings of the mid 00’s.
4.5/5
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Ryan's Movie Reviews 