The best film of all time

Rating: 10/10 (23 February 2016)

While my utmost respect is given to all the current box-office hits my loyalty truly lies before my time. In 1994 Frank Darabont brought to life Stephen Kings genius story line and gave us the best film created to date. Shawshank Repdeption tells us the story of Andy Dufrene (Tom Robbins) who is sentenced to life in prison for two murders that he did not commit. For 19 years Andy learns how to live in the harsh conditions of Shawshank prison and even attracts the attention of many fellow inmates, a soon to be dear friend, Red (Morgan Freeman), and the warden who eventually entrusts Andy to assist him in his legal work.
While the roll of Andy was originally turned by many big wigs including Tom Hanks and Brad Pitt because of other movie conflictions the universe eventually did Darabont a favor by landing Tom Robbins in the role. Robbins plays the seemly quiet, unforeseen mastermind of Andy Dufrene brilliantly. His lack of and delicately placed facial variations toys with the audience's emotions and somehow brings you to love the strange, shy convict. Perhaps the key element to Toms performance was not his own actions but reactions to the people around him. As a man of little words Robbins used his silence and expressions to rule his performance in a rare and powerful way.
No surprise is the also incredible performance of Morgan Freeman who plays Red, Andy's best friend in the prison, and also the films narrator. Red had been at Shawshank long before Andy arrived and tells his story to us, the audience, after his dear friend, Andy, is gone. Before Andy came into the picture Red had already taken on the role of a low-profile leadership role in the prison and its obvious he is comfortable behind the walls of Shawshank. However, Andy didn't come alone, he brought with a sense a hope that we see spread within the inmates in particularly, Red. Morgan perfectly embodies his new sense of hope so the audience can watch it unfold in him. Even in a prison uniform he still steals the hearts of the audience members and has us all routing for him in his journey of looking at his life in a new way. Freeman also nails his performance as films narrator. He specking with that sense of hope Andy clearly left him with, but also somehow makes us miss Andy, the way you can sense that he does. Using his calm yet inspiring voice Red highlights the overall message and leaves the audience feeling ready to take on the world.
The actor's incredible performances make this film what is it, but I would argue more than that, is the plot. Originally a Stephen King novel shawshank is undoubtabley the best written screenplay to date. Every intricate detail from prop placement to little character lines comes together in the end and forms a story like we have never seen before. The complexity is at the perfect balance where you aren't lost but you are always curious. Shawshank is a movie that you have to watch through and be constantly involved but naturally you are so intrigued that it is not hard to do.
Shawshank Redemption is packed full of brilliant characters and well thought out moments. However, in making the wise decision to watch this film you are getting so much more than the entertainment of a incredible film. Frank Darabont uses Morgan Freemans ending monologue to leave you pondering life in a new way and eager to live out the famous words of Andy Dufrese, "Get busy living, or get busy dying."