The Shawshank Redemption...

Rating: 10/10 (13 May 2005)

When Portland banker Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is unjustly convicted of murder and sent to prison, he quickly learns that life on the inside is harsh and unforgiving. Thankfully, he also forges a powerful friendship with Red (Morgan Freeman) a fellow lifer who learns to appreciate Andy's spirit and determination. Later, when Andy set's himself up as the resident financial adviser to the warden and guards, he manages to earn an odd form of respect from all he comes in contact with. Based on the Stephen King novella "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption", it is story about friendship, hope and the triumph of the human spirit over incredible hardship.
Hows that for a clichÃ©d synopsis? This may summarize what the film is about, but it does not explain why this film resonates so much with audiences worldwide.
Now, I remember the first time I read this short story by Stephen King. I opened up "Different Seasons" because I wanted to read "The Body", the novella which is the basis for "Stand By Me". After I had finished that one I saw this oddly titled story at the beginning of the anthology. I started reading it and did not stop till later that day, when, with tears in my eyes, I put the book down. My first thought was "that was a great story!" and I was amazed that King could write something so inspirational. Then I thought to myself "that would make a great picture".
A year or so later - this film was released, and I went to the theater with high hopes. The memories of this story were still cemented in my imagination (I had actually pictured William Sadler as Red when I read the book) and I was not disappointed by what I saw. In fact, If anything I was even more impressed with the film because Darabont managed to capture the nuance and feel of the original story so perfectly. The look and feel of the prison and the characterizations of Red and Andy where inspired. Nobody carries the regal dignity and wisdom of Red like Morgan Freeman, and Tim Robbins was perfectly enigmatic as Dufresne. Add to that Thomas Newmans stoic and moving score, and what I saw was nothing short of movie magic. I walked out of the theater, my heart soaring and knowing I had just watched a great picture. I have only felt that way a few times before or since ("Field of Dreams" and "Dances With Wolves" are two good examples) and I still get that feeling when I watch it at home.
This is more than a prison escape movie - it is, to me, a film about the friendship between Red and Andy. I think so many men are fans of this picture because Andy and Red have a connection that we would all like to have with our friends, and that only a few of us are fortunate enough to share or experience. I went to a marriage retreat recently, and when the men and women were split up and asked to describe their likes and dislikes, the question of movies came up. I think it is interesting to note that all of us men listed this film as one of our top ten.
King has a way of writing language that is both common and lyrical at the same time, and his characters have a wisdom and moral certainty that connects with the reader. Kings skill as a writer is especially evident in this picture with Freemans' narration. A lot of the lines which he spoke are direct from the book, and this is a testament to Darabont's respect for that written word. The screenplay he wrote was more than just a faithful adaptation - it is an homage to the wonderful story King wrote.
I have read a lot of reviews and comments on this site that refer to this film as "over-hyped" and "cliched", and to some extent this may be true. This movie doesn't have a plot thats overly complicated, and the characters (specifically the warden and prison guards) may be slightly two-dimensional - but I think that was done on purpose. I believe Stephen King wrote this story as an example of how a simple concept like "hope" can pull someone through a very difficult time - and it is this idea that appeals to so many people. This movie doesn't make any social commentary, and it is certainly not PC - which is refreshing. Too many films today are nothing more than political soapboxes for the film-maker, and unfortunately the cynics and idealists prefer that sort of commentary to simple story-telling.
It has been said by fans of this movie, that "It's a Wonderful Life" was pooh-poohed by critics when it was released as sentimental tripe - and if the same film had been made today, it would be similarly scoffed and mocked with abandon for it's old-fashioned sensibilities. Now, people look at it as a classic, and rightly so, because it has a simple message that people love to hear, over and over. That's what "The Shawshank Redemption" is like. It's just a great story about friendship that is told well, and most people appreciate that and that is why its one of the top ten films on this website.
"Get busy living, or get busy dying."