Task 3: Thriller Scenes

How does the location and use of light and dark depict the emotional landscape of the character?

Title: Shutter Island
Director: Martin Scorsese
Release date: 12th March 2012
Location: UK
Star Rating: 4/5
Running Time: 138 minutes
Worldwide gross: $294,804,195

Scorsese uses the location of this scene to mirror the emotional landscape of Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio). From the outset one notices that there is water dripping from the ceiling which can be clearly seen in the long shot of the corridor; running water is typical thriller iconography. Essentially, the

 dripping water (seen above) suggests to one that because the water is not flowing Teddy's emotions are quite distorted and sporadic during this scene. Additionally, water could perhaps be a symbol of his life and therefore demonstrate that his life - much like his emotions - is faltering (represented by the inconsistent dripping. The location is also set in a maze of long, narrow corridors with cells either side. The long corridors could be an indication as to the length of the mystery he is trying to solve (due to the maze-like tunnels) and thus depict his emotional landscape with vehemence. Scorsese also uses a shot on the stairs where fencing is entrapping Teddy (seen above). Imperatively, this entrapment is a typical thriller theme and the fence could be seen as bars which is typical thriller iconography. The fact that he is almost trapped could depict that he feels emotionally isolated in this scene due to him being conveyed as physically isolated. This isolation and entrapment is further shown with the high angle shot in the 'caged' area; thus the location is depicting his emotional landscape. 

Similarly, one can identify that light and dark is also used to depict Teddy's emotional landscape. Crucially, Teddy uses matches to light his path and the matches burn out quickly. This could signify to the audience that when the matches burn out his emotions become more frantic and thus his overall emotional landscape conveys fear. Furthermore, the lighting and location work together to depict Teddy's emotional landscape when the lights flicker in the corridors. One could perhaps suggest that this portrays that he is uncertain or doubtful because his emotions are reflecting the flickering of the lights which are inconsistent and uncertain. In addition, the close up of the match being lit could signal to the audience that Teddy's emotions are intensifying; much like the brightness of the light. In the moments of 'darkness' when Teddy's face is not lit it is possible that Scorsese is attempting to convey parts of his darker side - the one that has not yet been revealed to the audience in this scene. Thus, overall light and dark have been used in this scene to convey fear, uncertainty, doubts and hints of evilness.

In terms of other characters, light and dark and the location has been used to depict their emotional landscape too. The fact that their cells are in darkness clearly conveys to one that they are evil characters who have dark sides; thus their emotional landscape is very psychologically disturbed and broken. Dissimilarly, the fact that the male character in the last cell in this scene has some light in his cell conveys that his character has some goodness in him and is therefore perhaps wrongly imprisoned. Thus his emotional landscape must be frustrated and angered. As earlier mentioned, the fact that bars - which are typical thriller iconography - have been used to entrap them conveys that they too are emotionally isolated due to their physical isolation.

In conclusion, the location and use of light and dark work conjointly to depict the emotional landscape of the characters in this scene. The location conveys the emotional isolation, sporadic emotions and intensity of his mystery. Similarly, the light and darkness both depict the frantic emotions, uncertainty, doubtfulness and evil in Teddy's character. However, as mentioned previously the other characters' emotional landscapes are also mentioned due to the location and light and dark.