Shutter Island Analysis 2

Shutter Island

1 .Who is target audience? – 

15 and over 

2. Is this film following the traditions of a typical thriller? – 

Yes it does from the starting shot which indicates mystery to flashbacks and the music. 

3. How do you feel when you are watching it? –

Opening shot is of smoke which shows mystery it makes you feel on edge as you don’t know what is going to happen. The flashbacks show the differences between when he was at home when he was happy and the boat which is sad and gloomy. The music adds to the suspense and makes you know that there is something bad or dangerous about the island. The dark and gloomy shot of the institute surrounded by the barbed wire and high stones walls makes you feel that no one wants these criminals out and this adds to the mystery of why these people are so bad this makes the audience on edge and jumpy. When they talk it is very blunt so they don’t give anything away it builds on the suspense of the film. They use point of view shots so you can see what they see. There are three different blocks, the two male and female ones are newer and don’t look like a prison where as the third is like a prison where the worst criminals are which the characters are banned from. The main character Leonardo is the boss as he is the first character you meet and the other character always looks to him before he does anything and the officers talk to him. 

4. What you like about the film?-

I like how the colours are different for the different emotions like in the flashbacks they are bright and colourful as it is a happy time whereas when he is on the boat the colours are dull as it is a sad and depression time. I like how the different props and how the shots are set up to make the scene more mysterious which builds the suspension and suspense. I like how the film plays on the psych of our brains by using music, lighting, props, different camera angles and shots, framing ,different locations, and effects to make us feel the different emotions that a typical thriller film includes.

5. How could improvements be made?- 

the improvements i would is to use lots more camera shots and angles as there are only basic ones where in some of the scenes it could be made more intense by using another shot eg: when teddy and his partner first arrive and are told to give up their fire arms the shot between the officers and the two characters are basic where as if they had used a low to high angle looking slightly u at the officer i would show that he has more authority.

6. Can you relate to the protagonist?-

Yes people can as some people are police officers, or have lost someone or has to deal with mental paitents etc... but because of all the different characters people have more to appeal to and as the main character he relates to almost everyone.