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3 stars***

You know you’re in Hollywood territory when you’re guessing the twist to this movie from the very first minute. Unfortunately, I guessed correctly, as did the majority of the audience. What’s important is that in speculating the twist, it didn’t destroy the enjoyment of the movie. The second twist wasn’t so obvious, but when you know the first twist, they do match.

So what’s it all about?

From Oscar®-winning director Martin Scorsese, “Shutter Island” is the 1954 story of two U.S. marshals, Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), who are summoned to a remote and barren island off the coast of Massachusetts to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a murderess from the island’s fortress-like hospital for the criminally insane.

Many great films pass through the hands of Martin Scorsese and while his direction in this movie is excellent, it doesn’t quite pull punches you’d expect from one of his epic movies. The middle section lacked a little and the cliff climbing could only have been seen through the eyes of the patient it was so ridiculously not possible. This high budget movie is already raking in profits from ticket sales so expectations are high.

There is no doubt that many people will visit the theatre to see the stars of this picture, whatever the quality or content of the movie. Just noting Ben Kinglsey in the list is enough to wet my appetite for classy quality acting, whatever the character and he didn’t disappoint. He was lucky in getting the movie’s best lines and Sir Ben’s desire for fine roles in films shows his craving to continue to move difficult characters from page to screen.

Screenplay writer Laeta Kalogridis makes a fine move to bring Dennis Lehane’s novel to the big screen, with help from Steven Knight. Together they achieve a good flow of dialogue mixing this mystery thriller with many moments of true darkness.

Michelle William’s part was consistent in this movie, but didn’t give her the chance to show off her acting skills. What was good about her role was the consistency she showed in her every appearance.

Unusually, for Hollywood, the ending does leave an open question. Nice to have something to discuss rather than having sugar coated candy shoved down our throats.