An amazing accomplishment, but with a serious lack of Jeff Goldblum

Rating: 4/10 (19 April 2015)

By now, everyone is aware of the legacy of THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION. It's a movie that was criminally overlooked upon its initial release, overshadowed by other movies that year like FORREST GUMP and PULP FICTION. The performances of Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman are the stuff of Hollywood legend, and the movie put Frank Darabont on the map.
All of that being said, however, the movie is missing one thing that would have instantly propelled it into the stratos of fame when it was first released: Jeff Goldblum. Imagine, if you will, the character of Andy Dufresne as portrayed by one of Hollywood's most charismatic and adorably dorky leading men. Goldblum would have certainly brought something special to the table, something that the public clearly noticed was missing, hence why it took so long for the film to be recognised as a masterpiece.
Also of note is that the character 'Red', portrayed originally by Morgan Freeman, could also have been instead played by Jeff Goldblum. His trademark stutter, the sign of a man whose brain perhaps moves more quickly than his mouth can keep up with (though he is certainly a fast- talker!) would have lent a subtle humor to such classic moments as the narration describing Dufresne's escape. Alas, that isn't something we're ever likely to see, and will be forever left wondering: What if?
Finally, although there is little evidence to support this claim, I feel as if the movie would have greatly benefited from Jeff Goldblum's direction. He so clearly knows what to do in front of the camera that one can only assume he has quite a bit of knowhow behind it as well. In my semi-professional opinion, and with no disrespect meant to Frank Darabont (whose adaptation of THE MIST is, despite its lack of Jeff Goldblum, an amazing horror film), this movie is absolute garbage compared to what it could have been were it directed by Jeff Goldblum.
My vote: 4 stars out of 10, at least until a Director's Cut is released with all actors and credits replaced with Jeff Goldblum.