After quite a long time, fortunately I could able to watch ’ the most elusive film of my life yet’,
’"The Shawshank Redemption". So here I am , out of blue moon to express my views on the same.
Ironically this movie was released on 1994, when Hollywood was operating at its peak & the movie was thoroughly overshadowed by media darling Forrest Gump, & Pulp fiction.
Directed by debutant Frank Darabont and with riveting performances by the whole crew(esp. Morgan freeman), the film was nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture & it got humiliated in each of the nominated category.
*Plot:
Shawshak Redemption, is an adaption from the Stephen King novel & is exceptionally told.
This is the stoy of a man (Andy Dufresne played by Tim Robbins) wrongly convicted, and sentenced back to back life imprisonment at Shawsank, who finally triumphs over terrible adversity.
Andy’s character is a metaphor of indomintable human spirit.Initially Andy comes across as an aloof & introvert sort of person who struggles to adapt with his new surroundings. Soon he finds a valuable friend in Red ( Morgan freeman) , another inmate , quite influential in prison, & who knows how to get things done within reason.
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Gradually a deep bonding develops between them & with that grooms .......HOPE ..for a better /enriching future .The movie is seen from Red’s perspective & his tone of narration touches your soul.
The entire movie takes place inside prison, where everyone goes through extreme hardships & struggles to keep their spirit alive .
One of the most touching scene was when Andy locks himself in the room & treats all the jail inmates with Itialian Opera, paying no heed to the guards/brutal regulations followed at Shawshank. For a brief moment though, he ignites spark of hope among those who have been institutionlized ( a horrifying term in Shawshank paradigm)
To put it shortly its a tale of hope, redemption & friendship but most importantly , ’Truimph of Human Spirit’
If you haven’t seen this movie , make it a compulsive point of your life, believe me it will cast it’s spell (**no exaggeration)
*"Fear can hold you prisoner, Hope can set you free."