The Unknown Lurks

Shutter Island has invaded. Obviously I don't think about it every day since watching it, but there are times where I find myself doing nothing, then thinking "Wait a second...is he really insane?" It's annoying, to say the least, so I decided to do a bit more research/analyzing into the movie, and found a couple of interesting points. Plus, rambling about an ambiguous subject is rather entertaining.

As the audience, we meet the ever dashing duo, trying to figure out what has happened on an island that just screams evil. There is, of course, the necessary "A storm is coming." line, which adds to creepiness and takes away from it at the same time. "Whoa, a storm? That's really scar-Oh wait, that's been done before. A lot." It's used so much, there's an actual trope for it on tvtropes.org. I did find myself a bit freaked out nonetheless, so I guess it did it's job.

Then there's the Doctor. Oh the Doctor. I looked at him and said, "Yep, he's evil. He's the bad guy. No doubt about it." I just love feeling so smart, only to realize that the Director of the movie wanted you to feel that way. Seriously, the Doctor's face shows nothing but passive aggressiveness. Compare the next two pictures.

Those two grimaces look exactly the same. Granted, the first one has a more "I know something you don't" feel to it, but the grimace is still there. I don't care if you're crazy or sane, it's hard not to think he's the bad guy in this movie.

Another somewhat stereotypical trope within the movie is the It's Personal, which is obvious when Andrew/Teddy reveals a reason for his investigation having to do with the death of his wife.

A genius move on the Director's part, however, is the use of matches. Andrew Laeddis is an arsonist, revealed by Teddy as well, which I kind of forgot about until now. Once I remembered him lighting all the matches in Ward C though, I immediately wish to commend the Director for his outstanding use of foreshadow. There were plenty of other moments that foreshadowed the end as well, I assume, but that's just one of the few that I remember.

Overall, I thought the movie was amazing, due to its ability to trick an audience, while still making sense near the end. It all came together, and I was left mildly content. Only mildly though, since the lighthouse scene leaves us hanging. It is implied that he is crazy and must receive a lobotomy, but I keep thinking that there has to be more to it. I could just be paranoid, but then again, isn't that what the Director wanted?

And this is why I don't watch suspense movies. Now to try and sleep.