Classic and Unforgettable Movie

Rating: 10/10 (19 September 2010)

Shawshank Redemption is a story about freedom, justice, and hope. The movie stars Morgan Freeman as Ellis "Red" Redding, Tim Robbins as Andy DuFresne, Bob Gunton as Warden Norton and Clancy Brown as Captain Byron Hadley. As the movie starts off, Andy, who is a young, successful banker, was on trail for the murder of his wife and her lover, a golf pro. Throughout the trial and the entire movie, Andy declares his innocence. Andy was sent to Shawshank Prison, where he is expected to live out the rest of his days. Andy met and befriends Red; a man known for getting things into the prison from the outside; after he needed a rock hammer for sculpting rocks. During their conversation, Red gives Andy some sound advice and thus starts their relationship. During a work release program, Andy steps out on a limb and offers sound financial advice to Hadley. And from that day on, Andy's life was forever changed. The theme of this movie was freedom and hope. Freedom and hope in a dark place like prison is hard to see. However, being in prison didn't change the spirit of Andy. Andy's poise and demeanor never changed. He strolled around the yard like he was a free man. According to Red, Andy had an invisible coat on that shielded him from the woes of prison. Life was about something bigger and better, even if you are in prison. Never giving up and never stop dreaming. Brooks, played by James Whitmore, was an example of a person that gave up his freedom and hope. Upon the determination that he would be released, he panicked and tried to find a way to stay in prison. He knew that life outside of prison would be different. Brooks just didn't see any hope in true freedom. This movie reminds me of the movie, Freedom Writers. No matter how bad or how negative the situation, there is a glimmer of hope somewhere. It is remarkable how a teacher of an inner city school teaches kids to look for the good things through writing, despite what happens outside that classroom. Both movies define how to beat the odds. Sound was a keen sense of theme in this movie. The movie had a voice-over narration of Red. There are several other examples in this movie where sound and music bring relevance to the theme. When the movie starts off, Andy is sitting in the car and the song playing is about love and how he cares for his wife despite the news she has just given him. It shows that Andy had hope that their relationship can be mended. The squawk of Jake, the bird, has importance on the theme. Freedom to him was new, just as it was to Brooks. Another example is the song Andy selected to play on the PA system. It gave the prisoners a sense of freedom and hope. It took them beyond the prison walls, if only for a few moments. Andy referred to music as something the prison can't take away from him. It was hope. Another technique used to support the theme was the lighting and angling of the camera. After Hadley paid up on his end of the deal, the glow and ambiance that came off Andy was priceless. He glowed and basked in the ability to be normal again. The director used high-key lighting in this shot. The angle of the camera as it focused in on Red when he discussed the seriousness of hope and what wild dreams will get up support the theme. It was an extreme close-up. The camera seems to draw narrower and narrower on Red like he was describing hope in prison. This action of the camera reflected hope. The scene in the river and during the storm used some environmental effects and lights to support the theme. Another scene was the brightness of the ocean and beach when Red got off the bus. It was so bright and crisp. The scene showed Red's reason to stay hopeful, be free, and to try to live again. This movie is a classic. It tells of corruption and issues of freedom in a prison system. Most lose hope and conform to the ways of prison life. Just because you are in prison for life doesn't mean you have to give prison your life. Will Andy ever get redemption and get to tell his story? Will anyone ever believe him? Hope can only go so far.