Shutter Island Opening of Film Analysis

Shutter Island

Firstly one of the most dominant components in the opening scene of Shutter Island is sound. It starts off with low mono tones of a string orchestra that builds as the characters draw nearer draw nearer to the island. The music makes us unsettled and makes you feel that something is wrong and almost expect even for an unpredictable storyline.
        Another technique that is effectively used in the opening is Mise en scene. At the very beginning of the opening clip, a lot of fog/mist is shown hovering above a vast span of water which we could only assume to be an ocean- this could relate back to the fact  we later discover that the protagonist has an ocean of deep uncovered thoughts. The Mist moreover creates a sense of disorientation for the audience, by not having a grasp of the setting it leaves us on the edge to see what will emerge from the mist.

'Teddy Daniels'

      Furthermore camera shots when it is angled towards the mirror and Teddy looking into the mirror it immediately put us n the shoes of "Teddy Daniels" as if we are we are his reflection which is really an ongoing thing throughout the film helps us effectively identify with the character as we are seeing his facial expression to be agitated which to me intensifies the distress of the character and moreover sort of foreshadows unstable attribute of the character which could further relate back to the unstable jostling nature of the waves.    

There was a particular dream scene that was particularly incredible due to the fact of the brilliant use of editing. At the very beginning of the scene ash is falling from above all around the room I thought this could easily symbolise his life and mental frame has now gone to ash.

            A little further on during the scene the woman appeared to be holding a bottle of alcohol in one hand then in the next it has disappeared, the editing of the bottle being once there and then gone the other to me hows that Teddy can't at that moment in time get a grasp on reality. 

     


The use of editing was effectively used especially at the point of the woman is turning to ash herself as if to show that everything he touches get destroyed. The
editing was effectively used when blood came spilling out of the woman whilst Teddy was holding her, most of it spilling onto his hands which could literally be telling the audience that her blood was on his hands.

               

The use of editing in fire around the room after we have already seen ash falling t the beginning conveys the message that Teddy and even partly us as the audience in some ways don't really have a grasp of time so far in the movie, with the constant flashbacks and visions of the protagonist we hardly get a grip of before and after an which one is placed where. Making your in a way question our own sanity at times.  



By:Elizabeth Djan