"SHUTTER ISLAND" **3 STARS**

"Shutter Island" Director Martin Scorsese's psychological thriller is more confusing than anything else and maybe that's a good thing because you really can't figure out what's going on until just before the movie ends.  "Shutter Island" which is set in 1952 is the story of U.S. Marshal  Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) who travels with his new partner Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo) to a Massachusetts island to investigate a patient's disappearance from a hospital for the criminally insane.  Ben Kingsley is the Chief Physician who reluctantly assists the two U.S. Marshals in their investigation. The hospital staff, the chief physician and the armed police who guard the facility all seem to be withholding information from the federal officers. 
To add insult to injury the two Marshals have to deal with a hurricane and a deadly inmate riot which leaves them stranded on the island. Now you might think this is too much information but trust me you'll need all the help you can get trying to figure out what's going on. The brief synopsis I've given you doesn't begin to even scratch the surface of what this film is about. I refuse to spoil it for the fans who love solving mysteries but the way the story line plays out the hospital's medical administrators appear to be as crazy as the criminally insane patients they're treating. There were some cruel and inhumane experimental psychological treatments in the 1950's that were used to contain mentally disturbed patients. You will see some of that, plus disturbing violence and some nudity, which adds to the confusion. Leonardo DiCaprio as U.S. Marshal Daniels is nervous and preoccupied throughout the film but you get the feeling that he's about to make a huge discovery that administrators don't want him to reveal.  Ben Kingsley as Dr. Cawley is calm, comforting and calculating which makes him a bit creepy and sinister. Mark Ruffalo as U.S. Marshal Aule appears to be the only level headed character. He's an outsider who was just added to the case but you believe he's willing to support his partner in getting to the bottom of what's going on. There are several unexpected twists in the plot that will surprise you. The ending was disspointing because Scorcese takes you on this confusing, crazy trip only to find out that what's really going on is something totally different. I gave this move 3 stars because of the amazing web of mystery the Director, weaved making you believe it's one story when it's really a more disturbing one. It's worth checking out just to see if you can figure out what's going on? I guarantee you won't.
(R)
Director: Martin Scorsese
Rating:  **3 Stars*
Runtime:  2hr. 18min