Shutter Island: First 15 Minutes Analysis

Shutter Island: First 15 Minutes Analysis

In the first 15 minutes of the film, the audience is introduced to Teddy as they witness him suffering from seasickness. This is important because it establishes that Teddy is stressed how he could be nervous. This is shown by a close up of him looking out a window towards the ocean that surrounds him. I think this symbolizes Teddy as being out of his depth and trapped by his surroundings. 

This long shot of his partner is from Teddy’s point of view because it is an eyeline match from the previous shot. I think this shot represents Teddy as being imprisoned because of the chain fence that resembles a cage.

  

When the boat approaches the island, an establishing shot of the island is shown. It helps to set the scene where the film is shown. Also, the dark storm clouds could foreshadow  unfortunate events that could occur in the film.

This close up of the marshal badge in this shot helps to establish the role of the characters.

It also places the characters in a position of power.

  

This medium long shot is important because it shows how the investigators are unwelcome. This is shown by the weapons the police are holding. It also makes them look intimidating. It also helps the audience identify this because they are looking at the camera,  as if they were looking directly at the audience.

This extreme long shot is a very important shot because the use of barbed wire shows that they are trapped. It also symbolizes how they are entering dangerous territory.

 

This medium shot of a patient creates a sense of eeriness. The irregular facial features are shown to the viewer and her behaviour helps to make the viewer feel uncomfortable. It is also important because it .

230.1 to have an impact on Teddy’s first impressions of his new surroundings.

This close up of a photo is important because it establishes that this character has a significant role in the film.

This shot is significant because it shows a change in power between the characters. Formerly the investigators were the most dominant characters, but now it shows that Dr. Cawley is the most dominant character. This is shown by the investigators sat down whereas the Dr. Cawley is stood up.

Despite the previous shot showing the doctor in a position of power, the lighting in this shot shows how the doctor could be seen as sinister. The lighting makes his face look darker and in shadows – the darkness creates connotations of evil. This helps the audience identify that this character is the villain by only watching the first 15 minutes.