Shutter Island (2010)

"In 1954, U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels is investigating the disappearance of a murderess who escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is presumed to be hiding nearby."

Similarly to 'Sucker punch (2011)', Shutter Island inhabits a linear structure with a more obvious meta-fictive narrative however on top of this it also inhabits flashbacks. However in Shutter Island you get to see more of the Hospital for the clinically insane, there is more of a focus on the living quarters and how the patients are detained and treated during the day. They make particular reference to the use of shackles etc. Unlike 'Sucker Punch' I feel like this movie has a more accurate representation of what asylums were like in the 1950/60's.

There are lots of references to different types of patients and the wards they a kept in. Such as the one in the picture above being the most stereotypical depiction of an insane patient. Lack of hair, red around the eyes and the shackles. Moreover this shot is particularly interesting because the subject is make full eye contact whilst she gives the 'shh' gesture. It makes the audience think about what she might be trying to tell us or whether it is just her being crazy. We later learn about this in the movie. 

Note the reference to the 'mug shot' of the patient that would have been taken upon her admittance to the hospital. Although not exactly the same, it makes references to the photographs taken by Dr. Hugh Diamond (Portraits of the Insane) the awkward pose, negative space, lack of emotion and contrast. 

These two further screenshots I have taken in order to show the difference in portrayal of patients. The top visibly happy despite her appearance being splattered in blood suggested her naivety to her situation, possibly a sufferer of multi-personality disorder or forgetfulness  Whereas below the women is skeptical and cautious about what is happening in the scene, possibly a schizophrenic. 

I think it was important for me to see this film as I have learnt about how important the portrayal of the patients are in order to suggest realism to the audience. Looking at this movie has given another angle in which I can take representation of the insane.