2010 Preview: Shutter Island
Release Date: Feb. 19

Studio: Paramount

Genre: Period Drama

Director: Martin Scorsese

Writer: Laeta Kalogridis (based on the novel by Dennis Lehane)

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Emily Mortimer, Michelle Williams, Max von Sydow, Patricia Clarkson, Jackie Earle Haley

Studio Description: Two U.S. marshals, Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule (Ruffalo), are summoned to a remote and barren island off the cost of Massachusetts to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a murderess from the island's fortress-like hospital for the criminally insane.

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Analysis: Director Martin Scorsese and actor Leonardo DiCaprio reunite for Shutter Island after collaborating on Gangs of New York, The Aviator and The Departed, three pictures that found sizable audiences in theaters. In fact, each collaboration improved upon its predecessor: Gangs grossed $78 million; then Aviator made $103 million; and then Departed bagged $132 million. Given that track record, Mr. Scorsese and Mr. DiCaprio are at the forefront of Shutter Island's marketing.

Based on the novel by Dennis Lehane, whose work was previously adapted as Mystic River and Gone Baby Gone, Shutter Island was originally pumped as one of the few big movies of October 2009 (no doubt inspired by Departed's October release) as well as a contender for adult audiences and year-end awards, given its pedigree. Shortly before release, though, distributor Paramount Pictures abruptly pushed it back to Feb. 19, when it will be the only new major nationwide release.

Beyond the names, Shutter Island's being pitched as a visually-striking psychological and supernatural thriller, a line that has worked with such past titles as 1408, Gothika and Identity. The sub-genre has also seen recent duds with the murkier The Number 23 and The Jacket, but, if Shutter Island's advertising stays on point, it's poised to score at least a solid opening weekend sampling.

Related Stories

• 10/9/06 -
'Departed' Out-Muscles 'Massacre'

• 6/25/07 - 'Evan' All Wet, '1408' Occupied



Similar Movies: 1408, Gothika, The Jacket, The Number 23, Identity, The Departed, Gangs of New York, The Aviator



Related Charts: Horror—Period; Neo Noir; Thriller—Serial Killer

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2010 Preview