If you have seen the trailer for Shutter Island, you would be forgiven for thinking legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio have reunited to produce a gothic thriller of the fifties. If however, you have read Dennis Lehane’s bestselling novel from which the film is based, you will know that you are in for a completely different kind of ride.

Shutter Island takes place in 1954 at a hospital for the criminally insane in Massachusetts. War veteran and U.S. Marshall Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio) and his partner Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo) arrive to investigate the case of a missing patient. Early in the investigation Teddy focuses his efforts on the island’s chief doctor, Dr. Cawley (Sir Ben Kingsley) and becomes suspicious of conspiracies, secrets and experiments taking place around him. Teddy finds himself getting more deeply and personally involved in the investigation, while unsure if there is anyone he can really trust.

Scorsese very deliberately highlights past thriller motifs (note; old mansions, hurricanes and a remote island), to draw the audience toward Teddy’s pursuit of the missing patient, and away from the real truth of the island. To those expecting an action-packed thriller, Scorsese and his actor’s choices often appear obvious, if not somewhat cliche. But by drawing upon noir and horror films of the forties and fifties (like Jacques Tourneur’s ”Out of the Past” which Scorsese screened for the cast), Scorsese sets the audience up perfectly for a series of shocking twists which are expertly fused by screenwriter Laeta Kalogridis.

Early in the film, DiCaprio appears particularly two dimensional as Teddy, though aptly fitting into Scorsese’s detective-mystery vision. As the story progresses though, we realize that the character of Teddy is a complex one, whose many layers are gradually revealed through consistent flashbacks and with his interaction with Chuck, Dr. Cawley and other patients.

While DiCaprio’s thoroughly solid performance can only truly be appreciated upon reflection when leaving the theater, the supporting cast’s stellar performances are instantly recognizable. Playing Teddy’s newly assigned partner Chuck, Mark Ruffalo provides the on-camera support needed to offset Teddy’s intense and suspicious nature, and does so with a great deal of authenticity. And almost as if the role were written for him, Sir Ben Kingsley delivers a portrayal of Dr. Cawley that appears both compassionate and sinister when paired with Teddy’s distrust. Appearing through a series of flashbacks, Michelle Williams as Dolores offers a curious and climatically, emotional appearance which is breathtaking. Not to be forgotten are the myriad of stunning performances of often extreme characters in the facility, which are played incredibly honest and raw.

The film’s twists and subsequent revelations are presented at precisely the right moments allowing for a well-flowing plot, an opportunity to build affection to the film’s characters and reach an awe-inspiring climax. With performances that are sure to get the attention of the Academy, and a vision only a director in the caliber of Scorsese could imagine and realize, Shutter Island shines through the artistic eyes of a filmmaking virtuoso, that can only be truly appreciated after the film’s final punch.

Extras : Amazing Blu-ray transfer here - colours are vibrant, flesh tones look natural, detail is high, but best of all, that amazing score sounds terrific via the DTS-HD soundtrack. Extras-wise, there’s not a lot on offer, but do make sure you check out the featurettes (Behind the Shutters, Into the Lighthouse) that are on the disc.