Perfection. A word I almost never use when it comes to describing movies because there's always something that can be improved upon. However, such a word truly is warranted when describing The Shawshank Redemption as the movie is so powerful and awe-inspiring that all I am able to do is ramble on about the sheer feeling of amazement that this film evokes within me. The incredible acting and spellbinding storyline hold stronger here than in any other movie I have seen to date as there is never a moment or scene that feels out of place, overdone, or cliché. Normally, I'm quite skeptical when I'm told that a movie is phenomenal or outstanding, but that really is the case here.
The Shawshank Redemption is simply a story about two men who are imprisoned for life after committing murder. Andy Dufresne, played by Tim Robbins, and Ellis Boyd Redding ("Red"), Morgan Freeman, are faced with the seemingly hopeless and insurmountable challenge of dealing with prison life. The majority of the film takes place within Shawshank Prison, which makes sense given that both men must live out their lives in the facility, and by having almost the entire film centre around the prison we know as an audience that a prison essentially drains the life out of its inmates by confining and marginalizing them for most of their lives. However, what I love about this movie is that it shows that even in the bleakest of situations there is always hope that one can redeem himself through noble acts. Although much of the movie revolves around dark themes, it is able to resonate with a positive and empowering message at the end that we always have the power to change and overcome adversity no matter what life throws at us. In my opinion, this message is made even stronger after the film because we have seen the trials that Dufresne and Red have overcome, and by watching them surpass these obstacles, the heartwarming morals induced by the film are even more compelling because they are juxtaposed to the grim tone that pervades most of the movie. The story of The Shawshank Redemption may not seem outstanding on the surface, but the way in which it is told left me in a state of enchantment that I have never felt when watching any other movie.
Another strong aspect of The Shawshank Redemption is the way in which it debunks many of the myths we associate with the prison system. We often have the idea that the incarceration process is too soft on criminals and that we need to impose stricter and more rigid sentences upon convicted felons. However, the sheer brutality of prison life that is depicted in The Shawshank Redemption shows that perhaps we need to reevaluate this thought as such harsh conditions could possibly make the inmates even more hardened and emotionally disconnected with the world. The raping among inmates and the brutish behaviour of the guards only serves to worsen an already miserable state within the prison. When Dufresne states "the funny thing is - on the outside, I was an honest man, straight as an arrow. I had to come to prison to be a crook." we get the sense that maybe lifelong imprisonment isn't the best way to rehabilitate criminals. The chilling reality captured by The Shawshank Redemption really forces us to take a step back and reconsider the way we in which we deal with criminals.
While the storyline and writing of The Shawshank Redemption are outstanding, the acting performances delivered by both Robbins and Freeman elevate the movie even further. I found myself so enraptured by the film that I tended to forget I was even watching a movie in the first place, but rather that I had an amazing story unravel before my very eyes because everything seemed so real. There are many memorable quotes uttered throughout the movie, but some of the powerful points in the movie were shown just by looking at the blank stare of Robbins as he was able to convey a genuine sense of both optimism and sheer horror in response to the circumstances he was placed in. Furthermore, Freeman is well established as a brilliant narrator, but I also greatly enjoyed his performance as Red. While we get a good sense of Dufresne's character just from his own thoughts and actions, the narration and interaction provided by Freeman in the movie allows us to understand Dufresne even better because we are able to see through Red's eyes and feel as though we can sympathize with both characters. The movie really revolves around the bond between the two characters, and the depth of their friendship is a bright light in an otherwise dark situation in the prison. The acting in The Shawshank Redemption serves to liven an already brilliant plot, and really helps set this movie apart from other great drama films.
The Shawshank Redemption is a tale of the human condition and how we react to the situations life brings upon us. The movie shows that hope can be found in even the darkest of times and profoundly impacts the viewer with a true sense of awe and empowerment. I have yet to watch another movie where I am so marvelled by the fantastic storytelling and acting performances as this film really delivers a surreal experience. I recommend that absolutely everyone watch this movie at some point because it really has no equal and is well deserving of the #1 spot on IMDb's Top 250 Movies of All Time list.
