Shutter Island- Set up

Shutter Island-  Set up: How is it used in this film?

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

We first meet Teddy with his head down the toilet, then he walks out onto a boat which is when we first get the idea that he is in/on the way to an isolated location. We then see a shot of ‘Shutter island’ which shows the island covered in trees, with only one dock- the only way on or off the Island. This shows the audience that there is something important going on, on the island.

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

Teddy Daniels is a Marshall sent to investigate/find a missing patient, this could confuse the audience as there is only one way off of the island and that was by the dock. The other characters act on edge around Teddy, the ‘legend’ as called by his new work colleague, as if they were afraid of what his actions might be. This gives the audience the idea that he is not here for the reasons he thinks he is. The police officers all had their riffles out, ready to shoot if had to be when Teddy was the very first character to be seen in the opening, which suggests he has great importance in the film, which we find out to be true throughout the film. When he first meets his colleague he addresses him as ‘the great Teddy Daniels’ this also suggests that he is an important character, that holds power, that’s takes his job very seriously.

What does the set up reveal to the audience about interrelationship between characters?

When Teddy and his partner walk through the psychiatric facility garden one patient smiled directly as teddy and waved, giving the image that they know each other, giving the question have they met before? If so where? We also do not find very much out about Teddy’s partner, only that he knows of Teddy, calling him ‘the legend Teddy Daniels’ this creates suspicion not only for the audience but it also seems as if Teddy is suspicious, how could this person that he has only just met know so much about him? Teddy tells his partner that his wife was killed in a fire; he wasn’t surprised when he found out, as if he already knew. This is important later on in the film, as Teddy has to accept what really happened to his wife, he killed her.

What is this world like?

Shutter Island gives off a very tense vibe. As if it is a very dangerous place. This is shown by the amount of police officers, guards and the way the psychiatric facility is laid out, with high walls, barbed wired fences and what looks like cages within the building. Also the way the sailor on the boat tries to usher Teddy and his partner off the boat quickly, giving off the vibe that he doesn’t want to be stuck on the island with them, especially when the storm hits. The storm could also mean that bad things are going to happen on the island, it gives off a negative view on the island when we first see it, as it is dark and shows little sign of ‘life’.

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

Shutter Island fits in to the thriller genre as it has some main codes and conventions that most thriller films contain. Such as a red herring. Shutter Island uses an old ‘mental’ lady that hushes Teddy, she not only looks as if she knows Teddy, but she also contains many wounds, such as a mark around her neck as if she has tried to hang herself. The audience sees this woman and instantly thinks she is a key part in the film with great significance, but in fact is just a simple red herring to put the audience off of what is really going on. Also as most other thriller films, Shutter Island has a deadline. The storm acts as a deadline, as if the Marshalls have to be off of the Island before the storm comes in, Deadlines are a common code and convention for thrillers.