Film Analysation: Shutter Island, Martin Scorsese

The target audience is older teenagers and adults, as the certificate rating is a 15. The film would appeal to predominantly males, although it would be entertaining for both genders.

Mysterious start to the film makes it like a typical thriller – first frame shows nothing. Flashbacks are also used, which creates contrast between the present time, where everything is rather grey/blue at sea, and the past, where the girls blouse is quite colourful, and the scene appears happier.

Want to know more – mysterious opening and the eerie music make the viewer want to know how the film will develop

The music, setting and actors bring about the feeling of fear in the audience.

The audience may want to find out the significance of the death of the Protagonist’s wife.

The clothing used (overcoats and top hats) sets the scene to be quite depressing, giving the audience the impression that this is not a normal.

Rather depressing background music is used, creating the atmosphere of tension, and making the audience intrigued as to what is happening/has happened in the scene.

We are told that there is only one way on and off of the island, and we are told that the boat is leaving straight away, and the arrival of a storm means that they cannot leave soon.

A shot of a gravestone indicates death, and that something bad is going to happen.

The shot of the car carrying policemen is shown through barbed wire, meaning that the people inside want to escape because they are dangerous. This makes the audience feel scared.

The guards also carry guns, because of the danger of the people on the island. This builds up tension, as the protagonist approaches the island.

Point of View shots lets the audience experience what the actors are experiencing. The upward angle makes the prison gates feel imposing.  

Once on the island, tension music suddenly stops, making the words being said by the guard more significant.

Shown contrast between Male & Female building, and then to the high security area which looks dark and depressing. The main characters are told that they are not allowed to enter this building, but this gives the impression to the audience that this is somewhere they will probably go to later on in the film.

There are five police officers for the two main characters, Teddy and Chuck, adding to the feel of high security.

Extreme long shot of island shows that it is isolated, and the lighting mans that the left hand side of the island is missing, indicating that the island is a strange place.

 

Above: The official 'Shutter Island' trailer.