Salvation lies within....

Rating: 10/10 (2 October 2014)

.....and Ironically, it most certainly does.
Bank Merchant Andy Defrene is convicted of the murder of his wife and her lover, and sentenced to life imprisonment at the titular prison.
Life seems to begin to fade, but fortunately Andy befriends some of the other inmates, in particular a character known only as Red.
Over time Andy finds ways to live out life with relative ease as one can expect in a prison, his body may be locked away in a cell, but his spirit can never be truly imprisoned.....
There is nothing to say about this film that hasn't been said before. Its awe-inspiring, its warm, and most of all, it gives you an enormous sense of well being once the credits roll.
From the opening shot of the prison, to the iconic Christ like pose in the rain, the film is chock full of religious allegory, and references the bible in several key scenes. But the film demands repeat viewings, because there is so much subliminal imagery and messages in the film.
The acting is brilliant, and the warmth between Andy and Red is the heart of the film, and the chemistry between Freeman and Robbins is second to none.
Its a perfectly crafted film, with effortless narrative, and it will make you smile and cry in equal measures.
Yes, it should have ended when Freeman got on the bus, but nothing is too perfect is it?