Potentially one of the finest movies of all time

Rating: 10/10 (24 May 2006)

The Shawshank Redemption (based on the short story "Rita Hayworth & the Shawshank Redemption" by Stephen King) is quite possibly one of the greatest movies ever to grace the big screen.
Set in the mid-1900's, "The Shawshank Redemption" is tale of Andy Dufrasne (played by Tim Robbins), a man recently convicted of a double homicide and sentenced to life in Shawshank Prison. Once there, he meets "Red" (Morgan Freeman), a fellow inmate at the facility who is serving his own sentence, and who tells Dufrasne's story as narrator through his own eyes. The two eventually form a close friendship as they serve out their terms, and yet deal with their circumstances in different ways.
As the story goes on, the audience is treated to a culture and lifestyle that few have ever experienced, or probably even thought about. The movie goes into detail the dark side of the prison world, including corrupt guards, violence between the inmates, and even worse issues, but also shows some of the bright spots which seem to make the dreary existence of the prisoners tolerable.
The acting in this film is fantastic. Both Robbins and Freeman do magnificent jobs in their respected roles, and the inclusion of Freeman narration of the story adds a touch of credibility, as though this tale may actually be true. The movie engages the audience from beginning to end with the perfect blend of humor, sorrow, and even suspense. One moment a viewer will find themselves chuckling at a joke between the inmates, and the next cringing at the unsettling events unfolding before their eyes.
Overall, a magnificent cinematic masterpiece, and a must see for any serious movie buff.