Shutter Island Opening Analysis

Shutter Island (2010)


The Poster of the Film

The opening scene to Shutter Island starts by showing the main character; Teddy, vomiting on the boat. During this clip, one technique used is an enigma code, we see chains and handcuffs hanging up from the top of the boat which at the first viewing does not seem like an important factor. However, further on, the audience sees patients chained up whilst doing gardening/normal daily jobs. Enigma codes are used a lot in thriller films and are used to surprise the audience and make them think about what they have seen and how everything links together.

There is a large use of low key lighting whilst on the boat, the colours and lights are very dark and dreary; which causes tension and suspense among st the audience. Low key lighting is often used in thriller genre as it portrays darkness and mystery and leaves the audience wondering what is about to happen next, causing suspense.

Low Key Lighting

Camera angles used are quite often point of view shots, which put the audience in the situation of the character and build yet more suspense. Thriller films are all about the unknown and the shock of the next scene, which is what point of view shots do perfectly to really make the audience feel like they are doing everything the character is doing. Another camera angle that is used is a tracking shot, this makes the audience feel as if they are following the characters every move and puts audiences on the edge of their seats as they will often know what is about to happen to the character before the character does. In the opening scene to Shutter Island, many jump cuts are used during conversation; particularly between Teddy and Chuck Aule on the boat, this creates a fast moving atmosphere which makes the audience need to pay attention to everything that is said. This also happens between Teddy, Chuck and the Deputy Warden.

During the opening scene, the binary opposites that are first observed and known about are the detectives and the patient; Rachel, that they are trying to find. This creates an understanding of the story from first viewing, but quite often in thriller films, there are twists and changes and the people you first thought were initially binary opposites will turn out to be on the same side. and another binary opposite will have been created.

Over the Shoulder Shot

Sound that is used is a range of diegtetic and non-diegetic. On the boat mainly diegetic sound is used such as the waves crashing, rattling of chains and cages etc. But, as the boat gets closer to the island, non - diegetic sound is used and an eary music which slowly builds up and creates a crescendo is used. This can represent a change in mood or atmosphere which causes tension among-st the audience. Diegtetic sound shows that the situation is real and natural and makes the audience feel as if it is a real situation and experience, as they will recognize the sounds.