Shutter Island- Meditation # 2

The psychological thriller, Shutter Island, came out in theaters about two weeks ago. The film is directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo. Taking place in 1954, a U.S marshal named Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio) is assigned to investigate a patient’s disappearance from Boston’s Shutter IslandAshecliffe Mental Hospital. There he is faced with his own personal motives and a twisted plan of the hospitals doctor. He believes the doctor’s treatment of the patients is illegal and unethical. A hurricane cuts Teddy and his partner, played by Ruffalo, from outside communication and traps them on Shutter Island. As the plot progresses, Teddy begins to doubt everything around him, including his own sanity.

Going into the film, I had very high expectations. Being another Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese team up, I didn’t expect to be so let down at the end. I pretty much figured out the ending right before the climax of the film. Don’t get me wrong, Shutter Island was still an entertaining movie- just not one of Scorsese’s best.

Without giving away the entire plot (it is only worth seeing if you don’t know the ending), I will connect this media experience to the four tool sets we learned in class. Here is the trailer of the film, so you can understand my later connections.


Triune Brain:

Limbic- The film depicts many visually appealing images on the screen. These images played with my emotions that made me feel anxious.

Neocortex- The plot of Shutter Island is very complex. At one point in the film, DiCaprio’s character discovers a note that reads, “The law of 4, who is 67?” This discovery was processed through the neocortex, and left the audience to ponder the meaning behind it.

Reptilian- Many scenes in this film appealed to my Reptilian brain. I felt my instinct of survival kick in for the character, because if I were Teddy I would get the hell off of that Island, even if it meant that I had to build a raft!

Eight Shifts:

Personal- From mass to personal/participatory- I used blogs and websites such as Rotten Tomatoes to read reviews by critics and the public before I saw the film.

Aesthetic Shift- from discrete to convergence- I not only found the movie time on my smart phone, but also used my smart phone to purchase movie tickets from movietickets.com mobile option.

Seven Basic Principles:

Production Techniques- There was many different production techniques used in the film. Many shots are cut quickly and abruptly to startle the audience in both the trailer and film. The props, sound effects, camera angles, and lighting all created an eerie mood to Scorsese’s psychological thriller. The camera angles used also create the sense that something could happen at any moment. From long shots (picture on right), Scorsese develops a sense of loneliness and entrapment that the main character feels being stuck on Shutter Island. When Teddy remembers his home life, the lighting and color of the film become more colorful. The special effects used during scenes where the weather gets intense, when Teddy has nightmares, and when he blows up a car were also effective production techniques.

Pacing- Upon reflection on this media I observed that it was really long. The overall pace of the film stretched out and many scenes could have been left out. After seeing it once, I connected all of the clues that explained the end of the plot (which I will keep to myself). I definitely would love to rent this film when it comes out so I can connect the dots as the plot unfolds in front of me. Many of my hunches were correct! As you can see in the clips/teaser video below, pacing is relevant in many scenes.


Persuasive Techniques:
Symbols- The number 4 was a symbol throughout the film. At the end we learn the number 4 is a systematic number/symbol for the main character, Teddy. We also learn that certain characters are symbols connected to Teddy’s life.

Fear- Fear is used throughout the trailer and film to attract audiences and persuade them that there is something wrong with Shutter Island. In the trailer one of the guards states “we take only the most dangerous, damaged patients. Ones no other hospital can manage” and a scary image of an insane patient appears. This instills fear. They also persuade in the trailer through showing a patient write run on the main character’s notebook during an interview. Fear is also used in the trailer/scenes of the movie when Teddy’s wife appears in his nightmares. She appears as a ghost who begins to bleed, then turn into ashes. (See in picture on right)

Diversion- Scorsese uses this persuasive technique many times throughout the film. For example, in one scene rats are used to divert the audience’s attention away from the fact that Teddy’s partner goes missing. Also the partner is used in many scenes to divert attention away from the odd therapists.

Timing- This technique was used to orchestrate various story and production elements during the film. One example is when clips from Teddy’s past comes on screen to explain who the character is. The timing of these clips is very important and helps provide explanation to certain characteristics of Teddy. For example, one of the main therapists is German and Teddy has an aggression towards him. A clip of Teddy killing a Nazi in the war is then shown.

Rhetorical question- The trailer ends with the rhetorical question: “Wouldn’t you agree, if you see a monster you must stop it?”

Humor- Although a thriller, DiCaprio’s character delivers a few one liners at the beginning to lighten up the dark film. For example, in the trailer his character responds “No offense doctor, screw their sense of calm.” DiCaprio’s character feels no empathy for the patients of Shutter Island.


Overall, the movie was very entertaining but at the same time a let down. I would suggest to go see it on a rainy day or just wait for it to come out to DVD/Blue ray. Hopefully my meditation didn't give out too many spoilers!!

(all photos and clips are property of Paramount Pictures, I do not own or have any rights to any of them in this blog post)