Spoiler Film Review: The Shawshank Redemption

Rating: 10/10 (30 July 2018)

Film Review: The Shawshank Redemption
This drama set in the year of 1940's involves a banker by the name of Andy Dufresne, as played by Tim Robbins, being jailed for the crime of murdering his wife and her lover. This screen play was written as well as directed by Frank Darabont and was produced by Niki Marvin. The film itself is based on the novel Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King. The Prison Warden, Samuel Norton, as played by Bob Gunton employs the aid of Andy for many financial endeavors and The voiceover in the film was provided by Ellis Redding, also known as Red, as played by Morgan Freeman and Brooks Hatlen, as played by James Whitmore.
The plot involves Andy enduring heinous acts of torture in prison while serving 2 life sentences all for a crime that only he knows he did not commit. Gaining the trust and kinship of Red allows Andy to adapt to prison life. The theme throughout the movie involves the motion of hope. Although the prison life does not offer any thoughts of freedom behind bars, the thoughts of hope keep many prisoners sane throughout the duration of time they must spend while locked away.
Many of the motif's throughout the film included hope, power, freedom, fear, persistence, rehabilitation, and salvation. An example of hope included Andy playing opera music for all of the prison to hear. Although the music was not long lived, the music served as a sign of hope not only for Andy, but the entire lot of prisoners as well. An example of power included the scene when Andy was almost tossed off of the roof top of a building by a guard. Although the audience may see Andy as helpless, he also holds a particular amount of power by telling the guard about information not previously known, thus, giving Andy power over his own life. An example of freedom within the film comes from the moment Red takes out a hammer in which he tells the viewer about tunneling out of the prison. Fear immediately begins for Andy when the judge sentences him to 2 life sentences and many particularly bad encounters with other prison members. Persistence is found when Andy's drive to fight off other prisoners never ends, but instead continues to fight them off each time they approach. Rehabilitation within the film is demonstrated within the prison itself. The main purpose of the prison is to rehabilitate the prisoners so that they can properly function within society once they are released, examples of this include the classes that are introduced, Andy teaching other prisoners basic skill sets, and the use of the library. The idea of salvation is generally current within the film as well. The bible is quoted throughout the film and used to remind Andy of freedom and safety.
Sound effects, dialogue, and musical score were used to create the make-up of the soundtrack. Sounds from action off screen allowed the viewers imagination to fill in what happened in the surrounding environment. Ironic counterpoint was used within the film several times, but the first being when the musical score involved pleasantry and up-tempo beats while Andy was actually in moral dilemma from his wife leaving him for the man she was cheating on him with. Fade out was also used to depict different places within the prison at the same time action was occurring.
The emotional effect/ mood is created by the effects, dialogue, and musical score. The characters actions within the film, along with rhythmic elements that match visual elements help to create a smooth and concise transition from scene to scene. The style/ texture of the film involves a color palette that is designed to communicate aspects of character placement, setting, and story to the viewer. For example, the clothing wore within the film by the prisoners was not colorful, but instead demonstrated that of individuals that do not have much say within their environment. On the other hand, the guards of the prison wear sharp, brightly colored uniforms that demonstrate their dominance over structure within the prison. Although thoughts of prison life may be discouraging, the movie attempts to elevate the theme for hope throughout.