Shutter Island Analysis

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Shutter Island, a psychological thriller, directed by Martin Scorsese incorporates techniques throughout to reveal the truth in Shutter Island. The film, based on a missing patient investigation, turns out as a cover up psychological experiment designed to bring Edward (Teddy) Daniels back to sanity concludes to be the truth. This essay discusses that by analysing certain scenes, including the opening scene, Teddy and Chuck addresses Dr Cawley, and whislt Teddy and Chuck interview the patients. These three scenes assist to expose Shutter Island through film techniques such as camera angle and mise en scene. Firstly, the opening scene uses camera techniques and symbolism to highlight Teddy being a prisoner on Shutter Island. For instance, a medium shot of Teddy violently throwing up in the bathroom, followed by a close up shot to observe him at the window saying, ‘that’s a lot of water.’ The audience can see that Teddy is scared of the water. Water symbolises the truth and is numerously demonstrated throughout the film. Subsequently, when the real facts come about, the viewer Andrew Laediss is said to not be able to live with his trauma and guilt, hence creating a second personality to escape it. Similarly a medium shot is used as Teddy is seen walking through chains and shackles clanging together. The correlation gives the audience a prison feel, this later links reality to Teddy as he is in fact a prisoner at Ashcliffe Asylum. Seen for the first time chuck is observed

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