Best movie I've ever seen

Rating: 10/10 (9 September 2014)

Sometimes, a classic can come from an unexpected source. That's the case with the Shawshank Redemption. When you only hear about the plot, you'd guess that it may be very enjoyable, but it's been done before. The film is about a prison break. That doesn't sound like an original idea. Shawshank Redemption is based on a Steven King novella named 'Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption'. Usually, the film adaptations of Stephen King's novels aren't very strong. The picture was directed by Frank Darabont, who didn't have much of a success record back in 1994. The two leading actors are Tim Robbins, who portrays Andy Dufresne and Morgan Freeman, who portrays Ellis Boyd Redding (simply known as 'Red'). While they are both very good actors, you wouldn't expect them to have a perfect chemistry. The film also didn't very well in the box office upon its release. So despite all of that, this film has often been referred to as one of the best films of all time. I think that's a fair point to make. You don't expect an all-time classic going into the Shawshank Redemption, but that's exactly what you're going to get. This films sucks you in and blows you away.
Andy Dufresne is sent to Shawshank prison in 1947 because he murdered his wife and her lover, or so we believe. He's very introvert at first and doesn't interact with any of the prisoners. That is, however, until he asks Red if he could get Rita Hayworth to Shawshank. Red simply replies that it will take a little while, but he'll manage, since he's a man who knows how to get things. It eventually turns out to be a poster of Hayworth. When Red asks Andy why committed the crime he's been sentenced for, Andy states he's innocent. Of course every other prisoner in Shawshank state that they are innocent, except for Red, who tells Andy he's the only guilty man in the prison. Red and Andy develop a friendship over the years and the chemistry between the two is simply amazing. Andy befriends most of Red's friends, like Heywood (played by William Sadler) and the old man named Brooks Hatlen (played by James Whitmore). Andy's first couple of years in Shawshank are extremely difficult. The 'sisters' have an eye on him and especially their leader, Bogs (played by Mark Rolston). They attempt to rape Andy on several occasions. The prison is run by the corrupted warden named Samuel Norton (played by Bob Gunton) and his chief of the guards, Byron Hadley, who brutally assaults prisoners to demonstrate his power. In May of 1949, Red and his friends are selected to tar the roof of Shawshank, which keeps them outdoors for a couple of days. Andy confronts Byron Hadley about his financial issues. This eventually leads to an improved prison live for Andy and his friends. Andy helps the prison guards with their financial situation and eventually even does all of the wardens finances. In 1954, Brooks Hatlen is released from Shawshank after having stayed there for 50 years. He can't live a normal live outside of the prison walls and decides to hang himself. Red clarifies that Brook has become institutionalized. After Bogs and the 'sisters' nearly beat Andy to death, Byron Hadley assaults Bogs so so hard he is never able to walk again. Andy continues to control the wardens finances and explains to Red how all the 'dirty' money is washed clean. He made up a person on paper, named Randall Stevens, so all the trails lead to him, but because he's fictional, the I.R.S won't be able to catch anybody. In 1965, Tommy (played by Gil Bellows) arrives in Shawshank for a two year sentence. He's a young guy who loves Rock and Roll. He wants to be educated and Andy starts to teach him. At one point, Tommy hears Andy's story and reveals that Andy is innocent. Andy confronts the warden with this statement, but he's afraid Andy will reveal to the outside world what happens within the walls of Shawshank, so he puts Andy in isolation for two months. During his stretch in isolation, Tommy gets killed by Byron Hadley, because he knew too much, although the warden says he tried to escape. Andy meets Red after getting out of the isolation cell and tells him about his future plans, although Red waves it off by stating Andy's being unrealistic. Andy tells Red to never give up hope. Andy decides he's been in prison long enough and escapes through a tunnel he dug during his time in prison. The following day, Andy travels to Zihuatanejo, a place in Mexico. He leaves with half of Norton's money. The next morning, Byron Hadley is arrested for being a corrupt guard and the warden shoots a bullet through his own skull. After serving 40 years, Red is released from Shawshank. He goes through the same motions as Brooks did and you get the feeling he'll also hang himself, until he remembers he made a promise to Andy, so he searches for an old oak tree near Buxton and finds some money Andy's left for him. He decides to make the trip to Mexico and rejoices with his old friend Andy, while stating he finally dares to hope.
This is, simply put, the best film ever created. It's incredibly powerful. The film really sucked me in. The chemistry between Andy and Red is undeniable and the performances from Robbins and Freeman are superb. The supportive cast also does a fantastic job. Clancy Brown as Byron Hadley really looks like a despicable bully and Bob Gunton as Samuel Norton plays his role as the corrupt warden perfectly. This film never drags and the remains entertaining for all of its 142 minutes. Films, in my opinion, don't get any better than the Shawshank Redemption.