Shawshank Redemption - a film based on the novel "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption" and directed by Frank Darabont. The film features Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman in pivotal roles.
Trivia - The movie was not a commercial success when it got a theaterical release, however, it garnered humungous critical acclaim. Now, many years after the movie’s release, Shawshank Redemption is considered as one of the greatest film achievements in Hollywood and also the world over. AFI and other notable critics like Roger Ebert(Chicago Sun Times) have hailed the film as one of the most compelling movies ever made and have also sweared by its repeat value.
Now for the all the movie buffs, who have already seen the movie, I won’t be disclosing the story here in this review. This one is essentially a critique of the film and technical analysis.
First of all, Shawshank Redemption is not for the ones who like escapist cinema or who do not have the stomach to digest filthy language in films. This one might not be as gory as "Scarface" or "Saving Private Ryan", but the violence in Shawshank Redemption is more implicit. It is subdued and controlled. However, the impact of the violence is as strong as it can be because of the expressions and cold-blooded manner in which it is executed.
Dialogues are laced with filthy words, but goes well with the ambience of the film(Remember! the film is set in a prison). The photography is simply astounding. Never for a moment you go ga-ga over the camerawork and that is amazing because the lenswork blends so seamlessly with the narrative. It captures the prison and also the inmates’ lives with amazing precision. The "Shawshank" prison almost becomes the central character in the film, even more than "Andy Dufresne" and "Red". Soundtrack is minimal and it is this minimalistic use of soundtrack that hits the audience like tons of bricks.
Performances in a movie of this kind have to be of the highest order and that’s what they precisely are. Apart from Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, it’s the other actors too who make a strong impact. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman are exceptional. PERIOD.
The point that still continues to shock me is that - How this movie was a disaster at the box office?
Memorable Quote: "I was a good man at the outside. I had to come to the prison to become a crook"
This according to me is the essence of the movie. and also the greatest irony.
Do yourself a favor! Watch "Shawshank Redemption"