Cast: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman

Director: Frank Darabont

Screenplay: Frank Darabont

Genre: Drama

Running time: 2 hrs 25 mins



CRITIQUE:


This has got to be one of the most enduring classics of our time. This is a superbly-written and directed film about a tale of hope, friendship, redemption and forgiveness that’s subtly enclosed under the outer shell of a prison movie. And when it speaks its bitter truths and hard-hitting realities, it goes straight to the heart. THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION could have been a film that easily strays into melodrama and over-sentimentality, but its assured direction from classy filmmaker Frank Darabont makes sure it delivers its points, and its writing makes it all the more compelling to sit and watch.


What could have also been a prison break movie, one expects bullish characterisations of thuggy personas, stereotyped in prison films, with added violence and brutality. However, SHAWSHANK retains its dignity and gives more spotlight on the importance of storytelling in a gentle, quiet and dignified manner. We meet Andy Dufresne (an excellent Tim Robbins) who was wrongly sentenced of life imprisonment for allegedly murdering his wife and her lover. The film never says he’s guilty of the crime, and lets the audience ponder of his ambiguousness. The Shawshank Prison becomes his lair but neve his barricade. He led a clean life, albeit being molested, and found an unusual friendship with one of his inmates Red (Morgan Freeman delivers his seemingly best here). The narrative point of view shifts to Red as Freeman becomes the narrator, as he starts to identify himself and his wonderment to Andy’s deep-seated acceptance of his fate, as he claims his innocence despite of all the lies around him. This becomes his hope, and he never fails, to which leads to his mostly deserved freedom.


Based on Stephen King’s novella “The Shawshank Redemption and Rita Hayworth” (no, it’s not horror fiction, presumably King’s first non-horror writing piece), the tale transforms seamlessly to provide both a heartwarming and heartbreaking sincerity. Anyone who isn’t moved by the inexorable determination of Andy and his belief of the human spirit is a stone-cold antihuman. Who doesn’t resolve to tears when Andy ambushes the Head’s office only to put on a classical music for the rest of his jailmates to hear outside? Who doesn’t feel touched by Freeman’s exposition of the old librarian who achieved freedom finally but remains “institutionalised”? It gives us the choice, either to “Get busy living, or get busy dying”.



VERDICT:

THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION is one of the most life-affirming films a human being could ever see – and when it does, it stays and will always do. This is beautiful, compelling, uplifting stuff.



RATING: A+