Intrigue... mystery ... and a unique battle of wits and willpower are just some of the pieces of the intricate puzzle.... that makes up the story line of acclaimed director, Martin Scorcese's new film, "Shutter Island".  Scorcese reteams with Leonardo DiCaprio to bring author Dennis Lehane's intense psychological thriller to the big screen.  

    Those familiar with Lehane's previous works recently adapted for the big screen... such as "Mystic River" and "Gone Baby Gone" know to expect a tale that often travels into some very dark territory with many unsavory, albeit realistic characters.  

   "Shutter Island" travels down that same dark path... only this time, the darkness comes from a combination of unsolved mystery to be unraveled and also, a journey into a dark psychological hole that may... or may not, involve madness.

    Set in the early 1950's..."Shutter Island' features DiCaprio as US Marshall Teddy Daniels... a widower and world war two veteran doubly haunted by the death of his wife in a tragic arson fire... and his horrible memories of liberating a german concentration camp of its remaining pitiful victims.

    Daniels is a man focused on a mission, yet also fighting against inner demons of distraction that appear in his dreams as haunting reminders of a disturbing and tragic past.

    Daniels and his new partner. played by Mark Ruffalo are dispatched to a remote New England island thats a prison for the criminally insane.  The two Marshalls are sent to the island to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a female patient at the facility. 

   However, the officers soon find themselves not only facing numerous roadblocks to their investigation by the prison's chief doctor, effectively played by Ben Kingsley... but after a hurricane strands the two on the island... they also discover there's something going on ...that appears far more sinister involving everyone who runs and guards the facility.

    Soon, it appears the facility is hiding a deeper, broader secret that plays into the possibility of a malevolent conspiracy that threatens to endanger the lives of the two marshals.

   The story leads to a shattering revelation thats surprising to DiCaprio's character.... and one that changes his life forever.

   The original ads for Shutter Island may mislead one to believe its a scary, ghost like film... but instead it's a tight psychological thriller with several twists and turns.  Scorcese brings out a fine performance in DiCaprio as the focused yet emotionally troubled US marshal.  DiCaprio's is wonderfully convincing with a nuanced and tightly wound individual trying to stay focused on the investigative task at hand... while at the same time, battling his own demons.

    Scorcese does a fine job creating a foreboding atmosphere for this thriller... creating a great sense of isolation and ominous danger over many scenes that's quite effective.

    Kingsley and Ruffalo are also quite good, providing excellent support to move the story along to it's unexpected conclusion for those not familiar with the original novel.

    However, veteran actor Max Von Sydow has an all too stereotypical sneering edge to his former Nazi german doctor.   Actress Michelle Williams as DiCaprio's deceased wife who appears in multiple apparitions in his mind gives perhaps the most - no pun intended - haunting and ultimately disturbing performance... especially so, in the film's final act when the pieces start to fall together... and her true role in this drama is revealed.

   At times, however, "Shutter Island's"  plotline barely skirts being a confusing mess... during the first hour or so - due in large part to DiCaprio's many hallucinations and their ultimate meaning.

   But, when the pieces finally fall together in the final act... many in the audience may find the confusing ride to be worth the trip.  

        For video reviews from film critic, Tim Estiloz ... visit Boston Latino TV : http://bostonlatino.tv/  and more written film reviews at : www.Examiner.com and  - Visit Tim's website at: www.TimEstiloz.com