The Shawshank Redemption

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Rating: 15 (Ireland)
Starring: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Clancy Brown

This week I’m reviewing a slightly older film, and I’ll have to be extremely biased here about it, one of my favourite films of all time... definitely up there in the top 5 if not the top spot!

Adapted from the novella ‘Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption’ by Stephen King the plot is fairly straight forward (and not a horror). The story is set in the State Penitentiary of Shawshank Prison, from 1947 to 1966 and it follows the character Andrew Dufrense (Robbins), a wealthy banker accused of murdering his wife and her lover. In prison he meets fellow inmate Red (Freeman) – ‘the only guilty man in Shawshank’. The story follows their friendships through the harsh conditions of Shawshank Prison, from gang beatings to baton-wielding guards to corrupt Wardens; they find solace in each other’s company.

It’s a plutonic love story between two men. A bromance if you will... Andy is Ying to Red’s Yang. Andy is full of hope that doesn’t die and Red is embittered by his life in prison, but they learn and grow together and each gets something meaningful out of the friendship.

Right, on paper this was set to be a complete failure, which it was. It was completely destroyed in the box office, I mean, who wants to see a film if you can’t even pronounce the title of it? However, this film was soon to be one of cult following. Video transformed this box office flop into one of the most rented movies of all time and as a direct consequence made this film.

The Shawshank Redemption is one of the few gems that may take years for someone to find but once found it will never be forgotten.

As I said, the story doesn’t exactly seem like a smash hit. It’s just another prison movie and not even a true story at that. Which is why I think it did so well on video tape. It’s one of those very unassuming films that creeps up on you and with no notice… BAM. It hits you.

This film is stunning.

Tim Robbins is on top form as Andy. He plays the part so naturally that you’d be forgiven if you forget that Andy Dufrense is a character and Tim Robbins is an actor. He waltzes through life in prison with an air of normality that only a character like Andy could do, and only an actor like Tim Robbins could portray.

In perhaps one of his most recognisable roles Morgan Freeman plays Ellis ‘Red’ Redding. He plays this character to perfection and the chemistry between Red and Andy seems to stem from real life. You can’t help but feel that the friendship between Robbins and Freeman is something that will last and that makes you feel for their characters as well.

But the real beauty of this film is the narration by Red. Maybe it is the fact that the character is one you can’t help but like? Maybe it’s Freeman’s expressive but relaxing baritone? Either way this film definitely was the launch of Morgan Freeman’s voice over career.

Often topping the polls of the Greatest Film’s ever made; The Shawshank Redemption has quickly become a modern classic. A story about friendship, a story about overcoming oppression, but ultimately, a story about hope.