Shawshank Redemption is my favorite film of all. In my eyes, it’s the G.O.A.T that I judge every other movie by the standards of. You might expect a 10, but I don’t give 10s for anything. A 9.5 is the highest score attainable on my scale, and to date, I have only given that to 9 films out of 1,587 films I have watched (might be a few missing that I watched in my childhood I don’t remember). I won’t go deep into the plot. Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a shrewd banker, is convicted for the murders of his wife and her lover even after claiming innocence. They send him to a fictional Shawshank State Prison to serve two lifetimes without parole. At Shawshank, he befriends Red Redding (Morgan Freeman), who is also in prison for murder decades earlier and a master smuggler. While claiming his innocence through it all, Andy has to watch his days pass through troubling and painful obstacles to the end of his days as the film credits run. I’m kidding, of course! Actually, no, not this Andy. This Andy struggles and triumphs.
This film inspires me each time I watch, and the ending leaves tears, no matter how many times I have seen it already (fourth for me). More than anything, this is a story of hope. I believe hope is perhaps the most important emotion that a person can have. Red thinks hope is a dangerous thing, but Andy replies, “hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.” Andy does just that, holds onto hope through the worst of things. One has a simple choice in life, as Andy says. Get busy living, or get busy dying. You must choose hope and living every time, no matter the odds or the will required to overcome the mightiest of obstacles. Whether it’s a physical prison or a metaphorical prison, hope is your salvation. This film is the epitome of just that. It’s also about the power of friendship, freedom, and the triumph of the human spirit.
I don’t think anyone can make this film better. The filmmakers did justice, and then some, to Stephen King’s original novella. It is one of my favorite literatures of all-time, but the film is even better. The technicals are close to perfect. Script, directing, acting, editing, cinematography, and music. The brilliant cinematography and masterful dialogue keep you captivated in every scene. Robbins and Freeman are sensational in every scene and tailormade for their respective roles. The entire cast is great in their respective roles.
Some tidbits that I found interesting. Robbins went into solitary confinement to prepare for his role. This film received 7 Oscar nominations but didn’t win any in a historic snub (Step aside, Forrest Gump and Pulp Fiction!). It was also a flop at the theater, losing money. It became the most rented film of 1995 and made millions as a rental/sales. The filmmakers sent King a $5,000 check for the story rights, but King framed it and sent it back to the director, Frank Darabont. Not that King needed the money (54 books published by 1994 by my count). Originally, Rob Reiner was to direct this film with Harrison Ford as Red and Tom Cruise as Andy, but Darabont decided he would do it for less money. I’m a fan of both Ford and Cruise, but I don’t think they can do this film better.
Would I recommend it? If you have not seen Shawshank yet, all I can say is watch it before you die. Nobody knows when or how they will die. This is one film you have to watch in whatever time you have remaining.
4/10. As per my movie rating scale:
"A movie which was so unengaging and underwhelming it in its overall effect, to the extent that you're finding it difficult to fight the urge to want to stop watching. Lethargic and emotionally numbing."
I was surprised that something rated so highly by others was something I just did not connect with or enjoy. Key factors for me that made it unenjoyable:
Overall I found it dull and overdone. Once a movie starts showing cracks, or once I start to dislike it, I cannot come back around to it. The slowness of the plot really got to me. That and the cliched plot really did it in. This movie could've easily had an hour cut and it would've been a ton more entertaining. For me though, it just didn't connect and frustrated me.
Review by DeletedBlockedParent2014-08-13T16:21:53Z
"Remember Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies."
Finally! I don't no why it took me so long to see one of the most acclaimed films of all time. The Shawshank Redemption really moved me.
The emotion that was put into it, was something really truthful and real. Even when there are moments where you predict what is going to happen next, its subtleness and immense depth affects you anyway. Since the very first moment, we are attached to it and not many films do that with the audience. Such a simple story but with such content.
Frank Darabont direction was amazing! The film has over two hours and you never get bored, you are driven by the emotion of the events and the great cinematography makes you feel the terrifying life in prison.
The performances from all the cast are something great to see but Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins are the ones who gave absolutely phenomenal performances. The performances of a lifetime.
I can see why many people love this film. They love it because is power makes it unforgettable. Now I love it too, and I will always remember it.
An absolutely beautiful story about hope and friendship.