The Shawshank
Redemption
The Plot:
In writer-director Frank Darabont's THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison for the murders of his wife and her lover in the late 1940s. However, only Andy knows that he didn't commit the crimes. Sent to Shawshank Prison to do hard time, Andy--a taciturn banker in the outside world--has to learn to get by in the brutal, cutthroat confines of prison life. His quiet strength slowly earns the respect of his fellow inmates--most notably, Red (Morgan Freeman)--and even much of the prison staff. But Andy's seemingly stoic acceptance of his unjust imprisonment hides a fierce determination for freedom. This beautifully crafted movie features touching and sincere performances from the entire cast, with an uplifting message about humanity's indomitable spirit and the redemptive value of hope. Based on the novella RITA HAYWORTH AND SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION by Stephen King, Darabont's intriguing adaptation is easily one of the finest films of the 1990s. (From Yahoo Movies)
My Thoughts: (Reviewed by Dirty Frank)
This
is one of those movies where the best way to approach this picture is to know
nothing at all about it. So if you haven't seen it yet stop reading now and
just know that it is hands down the greatest film of all time. Based on a
short story by the always entertaining Stephen King, this movie gets you right
from the beginning. Starting off at a court hearing where short flashbacks
are shown you see quite possibly the only seen in the entire movie with a
female role. The lack of women is the only problem that I have with the film.
But anyway, you see that the middle aged banker Andy Dufresne (Robbins) is
found guilty of murdering his wife and her secret lover, a golf pro nonetheless.
When he is being brought to the Shawshank Correctional Institute the narration
of inmate Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding (Freeman) begins. His soft, but
raspy voice is the perfect overtone to the dark setting where you are introduced
to the prison. Andy first comes off as a quiet, even conceited, man. He slowly
adapts to the prison routine, befriending Red and becoming part of "the
boys." No, not that group of boys that you think of in a prison, these
guys are just the usual crowd that like to bet and make the best out of prison
life.
The daily
routine quickly changes for these men as the easily likeable Dufresne pulls
off some stunts, such as bargaining with a prison guard to do his taxes in
exchange for allow him and a few of his friends to have a good time drinking
a few nice cold beers on the roof. Another one of the memorable episodes is
when he gets into the wardens office and blasts an opera song over the loud
speakers, giving his fellow inmates a taste of the free life. This doesn't
go off well with the warden, who gives Andy some time in "the hole".
Anyway, the
audience is taken in by both Tim Robbins character and Morgan Freeman's, but
are still aware of the importance of the minor characters, like the elder,
"institutionalized" Brooks Hadley, or the young, "rock-and-roll"
kid Tommy Williams. I, myself, am fascinated by these prison movies, like
this and The Green Mile and despite some of the darkness and violence (what
would you expect? This is a movie about prison), this movie can appeal to
anyone. There are some moving insights produced by Andy and Red that give
the film just the right amount of drama and moral.
The entire
movie leads up to an unexpected twist that gives me a kick and tears of happiness
in my eyes every time I watch it. Most definitely one of my favorite endings
all time in a movie (up there with Tin Cup, Office Space, and Willy Wonka).
The casting in this movie is extraordinary, with the well know actors like
Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, and also a good group of unknowns to back
up the lead roles. One learns to connect with the characters, and look at
themselves from a different point of view after watching this movie.
In my opinion,
this is an all around perfect movie. From the storyline to the characters
it is hard to find a flaw with this movie. It is surprising that the movie
is able to sustain itself throughout its duration and to keep you enraptured
with its remarkably hopeful story, despite it being rather slow. Every once
in a while it is good to see a movie like this that isn't full of violence
and explosions and sex (no offense) but just a flat out good enthralling film.
I recommend it to you all, and if you haven't seen it yet you should hit yourself
with a baseball bat and then go out and rent the movie.
Starring: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler, James Whitmore
Directed by: Frank Darabont
Rated R