"Fear can hold you prisoner, hope can set you free"

Rating: 10/10 (22 June 2006)

"Fear can hold you prisoner, hope can set you free." What a great tag line. It makes you think of how good your life is when you get to be free.
It is hard for me to put my feelings into words because "The Shawshank Redemption" is one of that kind of movies that makes you think. The movie has been very educating for me.
"The Shawshank Redemption" is not an ordinary prison-movie. It is an epic story about friendship. I almost start to weep when I think of Red (outstanding Morgan Freeman) and Andy's (excellent Tim Robbins) strong relationship! In the film Tim Robbins' character, banker Andy Dufresne is being accused to have murdered his wife and his lover while they were having an intimate moment. The jury finds the defendant guilty as charged and Andy is sent to the infamous Shawshank prison which was known for its cruel punishments for misbehaving. While being a new meet in prison Andy is being harassed by the Sisters, inmates who want to taste some of that fresh meet. Everything happens on Red's point of view. Red is the guy who can get almost anything you want by smuggling stuff in. He is a provider who will someday give Andy the key; Rita Hayworth.
The film is full of injustice but even if you are locked up you can find your soul-mates. Also after being imprisoned for a long time it will grow on you. It becomes your home. But not for Andy. He knows he's innocent. Maybe the Shawshank isn't so hard to crack...
"The Shawshank Redemption" is based on a short story by no other than king of horror Stephen King. I have found his prison-movies to be very very good because, well, the pictures about his stories have always been little downbeat. Maybe because of the supernatural side, I guess. I have this short story on my bookshelf and it's almost as same as the movie. The only thing's that different in the short story is that Red was a ginger-haired, white Irishman. Freeman's Red is also Irish but we all know the difference. It doesn't make any difference, really.
The lesson of this movie is to never give up hope. Life can sure kick you but kick back. Be smarter than life.
"I hope I can get across the border. I hope to see my friend, and shake his hand. I hope that the Pasific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope." -Red