Inspiring.

Rating: 8/10 (29 October 2006)

Shawshank Redemption is truly an inspirational film--a work of art. What makes this film so special (asside from the excellent acting from both Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins) is the message of hope, even in your darkest hours.
Robbins plays a man sent to jail for a crime he did not commit--the murder of his wife and her lover. He is found guilty, and sent to Shawshank Penitentiary. He meets Freeman, who has spent most of his life in Shawshank for a crime he committed when he was a young, dumb kid.
Freeman feels that Robbins wouldn't last past his first night in prison. But after being repeatedly sodomized by "the sisters" and manipulated by the warden, Robbins remains resilient and hopeful. He gains Freeman's respect as well as his friendship.
The men go through three decades of unhappiness as the pinup on Robbin's wall changes from Rita Hayworth to Marilyn Monroe to Racquel Welsch. Each one hiding a secret that grows bigger, with time. Something that Robbins doesn't even confide in his best friend Freeman.
After one final betrayal from the warden, we find out what those posters were hiding...The gateway to Robbins' freedom. I'll spoil no more for you...but recommend you watch this film yourself. It's quite inspiring and uplifting.
9/10