Definitely, one of the most composed, simple and at the same time enjoyable movies I’ve come across .And that coming from a person who has seen loads of movies in his life should tell you something. A true model of the rich dividends of hope and determination, this film will give you a lot to think about.
THE CAST
Tim Robbins: aka Andy Dufresne. The protagonist of this film, he’s our main focus from the beginning, wrongly arrested for his wife’s murder, he overcomes his initial frustration to find a purpose in life.
Morgan Freeman: aka ‘Red’. A jailbird, in for a murder he had committed as a child. Best friends with Andie, he notches up a commendable performance as his character.
Bob Gunton: aka Warden Norton. He’s a warden alright as cold and cruel as they come. On one hand he pretends to be a martinet and on the other we find no one has more crooked notions about life.
Clancy Brown: aka Captain Hadley. A stentorian by demeanor but a wet weed at heart in actuality.
Gil Bellows: aka Tommy. A young convicted prisoner at Shawshank who’s a keen learner and has a golden heart.
The story of Alan’s and Shawshank’s Redemption
Alan Dufresne, an adroit banker finds himself convicted to 2 life sentences back to back, one for his murdered wife and another for her paramour. Being an innocent victim of fate and the strange laws of human beings which allow the system to be manipulated vehemently, he is totally broken down and alone in Shawshank Prison all alone being the ‘new fish’ that he now is.
The movie moves on, portraying Dufresne’s plight adjusting to the new undeserved retribution he now had to suffer at the hands of Capt. Hadley’s dictator like punishing treatment, physical and mental torture inflicted on him by homosexuals, chary of eating the worm infested food and many more atrocities. His only solace is in his sculptures of stone, his time with his few friends, especially Red.
However, coming to terms with his sorry state, he eventually starts using his brains which helps him win special privileges like labor in the library than laundry or cracking the rocks, tax consultant for the officers and most significantly keeping the account of all the finances of Mr. Norton including the shady dealings of the Warden.
A fascinating, yet believable set of events follow, leading to not only a mammoth change in Alan’s fortunes redeeming his pride and status but also for Shawshank itself which had become nothing more than a hub for all kinds of treacherous skullduggery rather than an institute of rehabilitation. I’d never even dream of spoiling your fun with my big mouth which is bound to happen if I do continue….;) J.
THE BEST OF THE LIKABLES IN THE MOVIE
1.I won’t make the mistake of saying Tim Robbins did the ideal job as an innocent, troubled convict, Could not have been better! Yes, he did a fair job at that but the thing that stood out was his cool, calm and collected demeanor which helped take us by surprise in the latter half of the movie, instrumental to the movie’s success.
2.Morgan Freeman for me was the man of the movie playing the perfect supporting role with fine acting as always. His dialogue delivery and narratives were most plauditory. This guy never ceases to impress me.
3.The characterization of Warden Norton I felt was nicely done not giving us an inch of the pathetically evil soul within him. In fact, when he did divulge that side at regular intervals, it always came as a bit of a surprise which made his evil appearance all the more effective.
4.The best part I felt was the limning of life in general in Shawshank prison, exploring every aspect of it, at the same time never making it mundane for the spectators. Gave us something new to think about.
5.No less was the depiction of life after prison for a prisoner, when one actually is more scared of adjusting to the new freedom than be happy for it, as prison life is all the former convict had known for so long.
6.The unique thing about the movie is that in spite of being well over 2 hours in duration and relatively sluggish in pace than most movies it manages to maintain a very high level of interest among spectators throughout just my letting the significance of each situation’s beauty or ugliness or tearful state.
7.Somehow I find one of the most memorable parts of the movie to be when Freeman tries his best to make an impression on the jury deciding his fate regarding the parole. The transformation of various emotions that Red has to undergo with every passing anxious moment during the process will be imprinted on my mind forever. Equal to the deal is his frustrated but meaningful outburst at his fourth attempt which wins him an unlikely freedom. One has to feel for the guy.
8.I think the beauty of the movie is in that it so casually shows us a glimpse of things actually to come at the end and equally indifferently makes us believe otherwise with nothing to follow it up, not only in plot but with the general theme and pace of the movie. Yes, the ending is what I’m talking about ;). I mean how can one surprise us with an ending whose blueprint one has already been splayed afore us before in the movie. That’s been one of the greatest feats of the director here.
9.And of course, last but not the least is a reestablishment of the message our folks have no doubt been conveying to us from the start – that hard work and perseverance does pay off. This in fact is the main moral of the film to take home.
Member Of Jury:“Ellis Boyd Redding, your files say you have served 40 years of a life sentence.You feel you have been rehabilitated?
Red: "Rehabilitated, well now let me see…you know what I don’t have any idea what that means”
MOJ:”Well, it means are you ready to join society..?”
Red:”I know what you think it means…To me it’s just a word, a politician’s word so that young fellas like you can have a suit and a tie and have a job.What do you really want to know? Am I sorry for what I did?”
MOJ:”Well, are you?”
Red:”There’s not a day that goes by I don’t feel regret….not because I’m here but because you feel I should…..”
It’s easy to see now how this indie managed to gross $28.3 million at home alone having been released in a mere 972 theatres. If you haven’t experienced it yet, it’s about time!
Directed by: Frank Darabont
Written by: Stephen King