Oct 30

Oct 30 Shutter Island (2010)

This psychological drama, directed by Martin Scorsese from a novel by bestselling author Dennis Lehane (Mystic River; Gone, Baby, Gone), stars Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role, ostensibly as a federal agent investigating an escape from a mental hospital for violent offenders. Beautifully photographed and well-acted, the film nevertheless feels oddly lifeless. Despite fine performances, including one by Ben Kingsley, the direction comes off as leaden, the script groping for relevance. A supposed twist in the tale comes telegraphed early and often, making the denouement anticlimactic and even a bore. Not recommended.