Michelle Williams proved she is the queen of understated glamour as she took the red carpet for the New York premiere of the highly anticipated new film Shutter Island last night.

While many Hollywood starlets opt for the shortest and tightest dress on offer, the elegant actress looked a picture of sophistication in the simple cream dress.

The confection, which was cut to the knee, featured a ruffle across one-shoulder and she teamed the look with black heels and a small clutch.

Michelle, 29, the former fiancé of the late Heath Ledger, tied her hair back in a soft bun while her subtle make-up left her looking fresh-faced and radiant.

Scroll down to watch the Shutter Island trailer...

Radiant: Michelle Willams at the New York premiere of her new film Shutter Island

Elegant: The actress looked a picture of sophistication in her cream dress

Michelle generally shies away from the spotlight, particularly since Ledger's death in January 2008, but she looked ease as she sashayed past photographers.

Of course, the city is home for Michelle, who lives there Matilda, 4, her daughter from her relationship the tragic Dark Knight star.

She was joined by her Shutter Island co-stars including Leonardo DiCaprio and Ben Kingsley as well as the director Martin Scorsese.

Fans are eagerly awaiting the latest offering by Scorsese, who is widely regarded as America's greatest living filmmaker.

Double act: Leonardo DiCaprio with director Martin Scorsese - this film marks their fourth big screen pairing

The film, an adaptation of author Dennis Lehane's thriller, has been described as Scorsese's tribute to the psychological thrillers of Alfred Hitchcock, much to the excitement of many film buffs.

Those lining up to catch a sneak peek at the premiere included 90210 star AnnaLynne McCord, actress Teresa Palmer, Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger and his partner L'Wren Scott.

The film is the fourth pairing for Scorsese with DiCaprio, after Gangs of New York in 2002, The Aviator in 2004 and the 2006's Oscar-winner The Departed.

DiCaprio, 35, said last week: 'Each experience has been unique. It's been a progression, now it's been 10 years.'

Film fans: 90210 star AnnaLynne McCord and actress Teresa Palmer

'I grew up on his work, really,' he said. 'As a younger actor, you'd be a fool not to jump at the opportunity to work with somebody who I consider and many consider the definitive director of our time.'

For the 67-year-old director, the admiration is mutual.

'I see him as a young man developing as a wonderful actor,' he said. 'I'm very happy to be around when this is happening with somebody with such extraordinary talent, to be able to focus that and perfect it.'

The film is set in 1954 amid a climate of Cold War paranoia and it follows the investigation into the disappearance of a murderess from a mental institution on an island.

VIP guests: Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger and L'Wren Scott

Starry night: Sir Ben Kingsley, who also stars in the film, was accompanied by wife Daniela Lavender

DiCaprio plays a U.S. Marshal in Boston looking for the woman, and his involvement in the case starts to make him question his own sanity while Williams plays his wife Dolores.

'This was a complex jigsaw puzzle of emotional back stories and dream sequences and truth and fiction,' DiCaprio said. 'It was challenging and fulfilling.'

Critics have so far delivered mixed reviews, ranging from 'enthralling' to 'flawed' and 'far from Scorsese's best work'.

Shutter Island is released in the UK on March 12.

In action: Leonardo plays a U.S. Marshal in Boston investigating the disappearance of a murderess from a mental institution and Michelle plays his wife Dolores