Hope will endure

Rating: 9/10 (18 August 2015)

When the odds are against you, there's only moving forward or turning back. When Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is sent to one of the toughest prisons for two consecutive life sentences for murders he did not commit, the mere thought is enough to make anyone insane. Prison life is tough, but Shawshank prison gets the cake for displaying just how harsh it can be. Corrupt guards, brash punishments and bare minimum accommodations are only half the picture. Just as soon as he's about to break, he makes a discovery that requires incredibly true determination and hope. The Shawshank Redemption is a screenplay adaptation of Stephen King's novella; Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. Writer and Director Frank Darabont was able to capture a realistic representation of what prison life might have looked like in the first half of the 20th century. Although the budget was very modest for this film, it really looks like they didn't need anymore. A cast that consists of veteran actors helps to meld the film's respect with their performances. One very noteworthy performance was from Morgan Freeman's character: Ellis Boyd (Red). He was also the one who narrated most of the film and that's always a treat for the audience.
Thomas Newman who was responsible for the soundtrack did a great job enhancing the scenes whether it is eerie or joyous. Although at times I felt that there needed to be a more powerful theme to reflect the scene which fortunately was only in a few scenes. Nevertheless, the captivating themes are something to remember in this film. Memorable characters, a great soundtrack and an excellent plot all make this a highly recommended movie to watch. There really isn't much to nit-pick about this film which is what really brings it to the top. Like all highly rated/regarded films, there tends to be some form of overrating which is understandable, since all great things attract jealousy.