Shutter Island is a very effective psychological thriller starring Leonardo Di Caprio as Teddy Daniels, a U.S Marshal who is assigned a task to find a patient that has escaped from the remote and dangerous shutter island, a mental institute for only the most severe patients.
This movie opens with the sea and mist, giving an instant eerie feel, then a boat slowly emerges from this mist set just above the water, the boat is set right in the centre of the shot to bring all the attention to it, also brings the attention that they are very much alone here.
As you come to terms with Teddy Daniels, you get quite, staggered flash backs, as this is the start of the movie, you are unsure as to whether these are from his past, or maybe hinting as to what is to come, we know these are of a different time period as there is a large change in lighting. These flashbacks also make us feel more connected to the character as you have seen his past, which you then learn his wife died, this is a quite touchy subject to be putting right at the start of the film, however it lets you know he is a strong willed character and shows he has come through that and it has made him into the man he is.
As you are on the boat with the characters all sound it non-diegetic, this gives you a very strong sense of realism and bring you closer to the film.
All shots that are taken whilst both characters are talking have a section of background In them, constantly reminding you that they are alone and helpless on the boat.
As both characters step onto the island, you soon realize that is the only form of transport, as they find this out the boat leaves, showing to the audience they are literally stuck on this island, this makes you feel for the characters and starts to add a little amount of tension.
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