Shawshank Redemption

IMDBs’ users rate it as the greatest film of all time and it is hard to argue, The Shawshank Redemption, simply astonishing.  At the film club the other day wasn’t my first time watching it, but is was still as amazing as ever. Everything in this film is perfect, all the big ideas and themes it represents even to the little nuances of its presentation, so the only problem is, where to start?

Firstly, the acting, and on all counts it was perfect. Tim Robbins is the lead and he can’t be faulted, the change he is able to show in his being over the years he was at the prison was pretty amazing, and gave the film the necessary realism for such a drama. But as good as Robbins was, this was Morgan Freeman’s movie, his silky smooth voice can’t be topped. This aside, he still was impeccable as Red, he needed to show many complex emotions all the time about the situations Andy got himself in, and he was able to do it. Also, at some parts in the movie he needed to show how he occasionally acted immorally but needed to do this with heart and humanity in his eyes so the audience wouldn’t hate him for it, and he pulls this off too. The small supporting roles had great actors too, and this just elevated the entire film. People such as the warden, Captain Hadley, Heywood and especially Brooks were all performed to a tee.

The film doesn’t just have great acting however, the story itself and the rollercoaster of emotions that it ensues is very good, so Stephen King deserves credit. But this story wouldn’t have been much if it had been in the hands of a less capable director, but thankfully for this film we had Frank Darabont. The main factor that affected whether this film would work or not is its tone, which needed to be able to show the highs and the lows without them seeming out of place, and once again The Shawshank Redemption delivers. With all of the sad moments you feel the sadness, and for the brighter moments you do feel them, but they come with a sense of the harsh reality bearing over them, which is perfect for a film set in a prison. All of this means that you take an emotional ride with the characters and feel what they feel, and because you are so close to them when the truly heart-warming ending happens, you feel that a lot too. Man tears will be flowing guaranteed.

The Shawshank Redemption, simply a film that cannot be faulted. If you haven’t watched it yet, why? Go do so right now.