Opening Sequence Analysis - Draft

Shutter Island - Thriller opening analysis - short draft

Location 

The two major locations used in the opening sequence of ‘Shutter Island‘  have a massive contrast but are highly relevant to the characters standing in the film. At first we are met with a boat, emerging through the mist, traveling on a vast Ocean, it and the main character are surrounded by water. The environment surrounds the main character, this makes him seem small and insignificant compared to what’s around him. We also get the idea that the main character doesn’t have a really good relationship with the substance either, as when we first encounter him, we see him being sick - “sea sick”. From this many convention of thriller have already been shown. The size of the environment, and the fact we see a boat emerges from very misty Ocean can be related to Pathetic Fallacy - this could foreshadow what’s to come - we get the idea that things aren’t quite right. The relationship between the character and his environment can be seen as Narrative retardation, we know nothing about this character, we don’t know why he is so again the environment around him, raising some important questions. Why would you travel by boat if you were so sick when traveling on it? Why is he on the boat in the first place? A lot of mystery is create from this on location.

Another very important location we get to see is shutter island itself. This is highly important to the film for it is the main setting and back drop for the film. We see that the boat is traveling towards this small, mysterious island with the intentions of dropping the main characters off. The island has a massive contrast with the ocean around it, it gives the audience a sense of isolation and segregation. This can be linked with the main character and his situation.

Characters

The main character conforms to the code of conventions of Thriller films, Tedd (the main character) is extremely mysterious and morally complex. When we first see Tedd we can see he is in a very bad way, we see him being sea sick and he talks to himself - “pull yourself together Teddy”. From this we get the idea that not all is well and that he isn’t just talking about his sea sickness. What he says is a foreshadowing of what’s to come later on in the film. As he walks through the ship we see him emerge out onto the deck where he is surrounded by water. He says shortly after “I hate the water”, making the audience wonder why he hates that water. As the dialogue between another character and Tedd starts, we find out that Tedd had a wife that has died, we go to a flash-back of his wife putting a tie around him with a record player playing in the background. When he says she died in a fire we get the flash back fade to the water then back to the flash back and back to Teddy’s face. We get a vague idea the water has something to do with how his wife died and that Tedd isn’t telling the full truth about her death. 

Costume

The costume is rather simple, it’s very suited to the period, and is very historically accurate. The costume is very bland and fits with the typical idea that thriller films are more aimed to the depression things in life and never taking a positive view on things. “The glass is half empty” view on life. The costume gets a strong message of seriousness and sophistication across to the audience, making them realise that this is a serious matter and nothing to be very happy about.

Lighting

The lighting is rather natural and takes a very simple form in the film. The fact that there is a storm coming makes things very eerie and gloomy, putting a negative spin on things happening during the opening sequence. This fits the conventions of thriller because having a gloomy background is a very important part in the film. This conveys many things to the audience - the fact that their is a storm coming and that things aren’t quite right between Teddy and the other police officers around him. This can be seen a pathetic fallacy, foreshadowing that when the storm hits, things will go wrong.

Sound

The soundtrack is very fitting, with the music being broken up into sections making things seem confusing and strange, making the setting seem more effective and mysterious. As we progress through the opening sequence the music gets louder and more dramatic, this is used to build up tension, the thrilling music thrills the audience making feel like something very important is about to happen. This grabs the audience right from the start, making them feel involved and interested in what’s happening in the film. This attention is key to grab and keep a film audience interest and actively involved in the film.