Shutter Island from novel to film Martin Scorsese's Shutter Island is a brilliant film adapted from the equally brilliant novel by Dennis Lehane. After experiencing an emotional connection to the book, Scorsese set to work creating this masterpiece with Leonardo DiCaprio. Upon its release, Shutter Island got all kinds of reactions; completely divided critics and fans alike. Scorsese's portrayal of Teddy Daniels (the main character) and Dr. Cawley is very thorough and only slightly liberal, with almost nothing missing or added. The overall tone or atmosphere of the movie is quite different from the feelings I had while reading the book. Scorsese presents a much more disturbing and disturbing atmosphere in the film. Lehane, on Scorsese, said in an interview: "I felt empathetic to the character, overwhelmed by the nature of the story." (Wong). Scorsese has often been hailed as the greatest living American director and has been in the film production business for over forty years. He describes the process of translating the mood he experienced in himself onto the big screen as having to constantly "choose, select, emphasize certain visual and sound elements." (Wong). Scorsese recalls turning to a few other select films for inspiration and reference when creating Shutter Island. These films include Samuel Fuller's 1963 Shock Corridor, Otto Preminger's 1944 Laura, and Jacques Tourneur's 1947 Out of the Past (Wong). Initial reviews on this thriller were completely divided. Some critics and fans were amazed, while others were downright offended. Roger Ebert falls into the first category. In his review of the 2010 film he praises the effectiveness of the thriller by referring to his careful reflection starting from the very first musical notes that accompany the opening credits. Ebert beautifully compares Shutter Island to film noir with its similarities including a flawed hero and characters with baggage. He responds that it may take multiple points of view to appreciate the ending, but then argues that that quality is part of what makes Shutter Island a masterpiece. A. O. Scott of the New York Times feels like he has no control over his surroundings, starting with his lack of control over his own body (as he vomits from seasickness on the ferry). Even while Teddy is talking to his partner, Chuck Aule, he seems unsure in his facial expressions as he often looks down. During my first reading of Dennis Lehane's novel, none of these notions were introduced to me. Although Teddy is still vomiting from seasickness and speaking to his partner for the first time, Lehane describes him as a much more relaxed and confident person. On page 13, in the first chapter, we read the first conversation between Teddy and Chuck: “Are you okay?” Chuck asked. "Look