Research: Shutter Island

Set up: How is it used in the film?

What does the set up reveal to the audience about setting?

From the title screens the set up reveals the location to the audience as at the bottom of the screen the text “Boston harbour islands 1954”. This not only reveals where the film is taking place but also the year so the audience can see why some of the features such as costume are dated from the 50’s era. The first few lines of dialogue on the island itself give key information in the set up on the audience. The warden explains that the “purposely built institute near the old civil war fort was built to house the criminally insane and that the worst patients are housed in the fort”. One of the Marshalls also says that the island isn’t for people “who hear voices and chase butterflies all day”. This gives the audience key information that the patients on the island do not have minor health issues but more severe issues.

What does the set up reveal to the audience about a character?

In the opening the set up gives the audience a lot of key information about the main character Teddy Daniels. The audience first sees Teddy when he is being sick on the boat over to the island, this shows that he suffers from sea sickness but the audience are unsure why. Teddy’s costume of a trilby and trench coat lets the audience know straight away that he is clearly a member of authority. The audience know this because the trench coat and trilby is a key costume of a detective or someone of authority in thriller films. Teddy’s partner Chuck Aule gives a line of dialogue exclaiming to Teddy that Teddy is seen as a legend back in the office, Teddy denies this with “what have you guys been smokin back in Portland”. This allows the audience to see that Teddy does not feel that he is a legend for a reason unknown to the audience. Through dialogue and flashbacks the audience discover that Teddy had a girlfriend but she died in an apartment fire when Teddy was at work. Teddy then adds that it is important that the smoke killed her not the fire as if he didn’t want to picture her burning to death. as the flashback finishes the sea water is shown crashing against the boat then we see his girlfriend’s face. The set up of this makes the audience wonder whether she really died in the fire or whether the water has something to do with her death.

What does the set up reveal to the audience about interrelationship and goals between characters? Are there any things learned that become important later on?

The set up of Teddy and Chuck’s dialogue lets the audience understand from the start, what the goal is for the two Marshalls. We find out through dialogue that the goal is to go to the island and find out how and why a patient has escaped from the institute. In the opening there are many things we learn that are important later on. When the Marshalls boat is docked there is dialogue about a storm coming which could block access to and from the island. This is important as there is now a deadline for the Marshalls to reach because otherwise they may not get off the island. When the Marshalls are escorted through the grounds of the institute, the audience become aware that some of the patients appear to know Teddy as a man stops gardening and waves and a woman smiles and puts her finger to her lips as if something is secret that everybody on the island knows about except Teddy. When Teddy and Chuck are escorted off the boat in to the car all the guards cock there rifles so that they are loaded. Teddy asks “how come the guards are on edge” , the warden then replies “right now we all are”. This dialogue and the expression of the woman gardening are important as they all know more about Teddy than the audience does. Later on the reason as to why everyone was on edge becomes clear when we learn more about Teddy’s past.

What is this “world” like? How do you know?

The “world” of Shutter Island is very dangerous and messed up. This is because although the whole island is heavily guarded by high security with loaded weapons and an electrified perimeter, a patient has escaped the inescapable penitentiary/ institute but however could still be on the island. The set up of the scene reveals how dangerous this world is as there are highly dangerous criminally insane patients walking around the grounds who could turn on anyone at any moment.

What possible conflicts or strains are there that will become part of the story later on?

There is clearly conflict between Teddy and the head warden of the institute. This is because by the official rankings Teddy a Marshall is more powerful than the warden, however because the Marshalls are on the wardens land they must abide by his direction and authority therefore meaning that the warden has more power over Teddy. This is seen when the warden asks Teddy to hand over his firearm as they will “not be allowed into the institute if they have firearms on their person”. Teddy is very angered and snotty as he is not used to being ordered by someone lower than him in the rankings of service.

How does the film opening fit with the codes and conventions of Thriller films?

The opening to Shutter Island shows many codes and conventions of Thriller films. The opening titles are in black and white. Using black and white builds tension and confusion in the audiences as they wonder why colour has not been used in the titles and become alert as they do not know what is going to happen next. A dramatic non-diegetic soundtrack is used in the titles and over the start of the opening scene. This accompanies the black and white titles in building tension on the audience. The setting of Shutter Island is an institute/ Prison. Prisons are key settings in many thriller films as they provide a criminal backdrop and a feeling of mystery as the audience wonders why the character is in prison. Teddy Daniels is played by Leonardo Di Caprio, Leo is a key actor in many thriller films including Inception.