Shutter Island opening analysis

Shutter Island opening analysis

The set up tells the audience that the setting is lonely and isolated. The audience would feel uncomfortable in that setting. It is a lonely island with almost unhuman characters residing there. We know it is not a nice place just from seeing the long shot of the island before the ship lands. This long shot gives us the impression that the island is very isolated. It also creates a sense of enigma as we do not know what is happening there. It is clear that the setting is an institution once we see the gates etc. When we meet ‘Teddy’, we know something is wrong as cops don’t usually throw up on boats! Teddy than proceeds to meet his ‘co-worker’. We find this odd as we usually expect cops to know their co workers. We also see handcuffs in Teddy’s cabin. We realise that something is not right and that he is not as he seems. This is backed up by the Chiaroscuro lighting. He clearly has 2 sides.

The set up reveals that there is an odd relationship between the two main characters. The fact that they only meet on the boat shows that there is some resistance between the characters. It seems the characters are on a mission to find a missing prisoner. The important thing is the ‘rift’ between them, their relationship is not quite right. It becomes apparent once we realise that Teddy is not a real cop and that there really is a difference between the two men.

The world is clearly not a happy place for those in the hospital. We know this by the way they are acting and by the fact that they are insane. It is obviously a dangerous place, judging by the fact that the hospital residents are handcuffed and chained by their feet. It seems unsafe however, whilst the residents are chained, there is little chance of anything bad happening.

The strain that may become part of the story later on is how the real police officers feel worried in the company of Teddy. This again reveals how Teddy is not quite right. The fact that he struggles to remove his gun also shows how he is odd. There is perhaps an enigma code.

The opening creates a huge sense of mystery and enigma. This is very important in Thriller films. The audience are constantly wondering what is going on. An example of this is when we see handcuffs in Teddy’s cabin. We wonder what they are there for. Is that just where he keeps them or has he, himself been handcuffed? Flashbacks are also used. These help to explain the story and are often used as enigma codes. In this case Shots of the water are crossed with shots of Teddy’s wife. Although we are told that she died in a fire, we know that something is a bit ‘dodgy’. Water is clearly an important part of the narrative.

Chiaroscuro lighting is often used in Thrillers, here it shows that Teddy has two sides buy making one side of his face brighter than the other. This is crucial in explaining that he is a flawed character. Two sides are very important in Shutter Island.