THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION
Written and Directed by Frank Darabont (The Green Mile)
Starring: Tim Robbins (Jacob's Ladder), Morgan Freeman (Kiss the Girls), Bob Gunton (Patch Adams), and James Whitmore (The Relic)
All Hollywood films should be this good. Without a doubt one of the most purely entertaining films in recent memory, THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, stands out not as a good prison drama, a good drama, a well-written film, or anything of that sort. It's not a distinguishable film, and indeed it may not be highly remembered in the annals of history, because its accomplishments have been done before. That, however, would be a shame, because THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION is one hell of a movie, and a fine example of pure Hollywood filmmaking.
The story is relatively simple: Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) gets convicted for two murders he didn't commit, and ends up in Shawshank Prison, where he languishes, having various adventures on the way. He also meets Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman), who helps him on the way, and sooner or later, becomes Andy's closest friend. The two share an uncommon bond, and the film gradually explores the relationship of these two men. Dufresne is forced to undergo the hardships of prison, but pretty soon overcomes his obstacles, and two men bond as Dufresne goes through a series of challenges along the way to the eventual ending of the film.
The performances of everybody, from Robbins and Freeman to character actors such as James Whitmore, are absolutely fantastic. I don't think I've ever seen Robbins or Freeman better, and they are certainly the highlights. Whitmore, playing prison librarian Brooks Hatlen, makes a triumphant return to the screen in a superb performance that truly is etched in the viewer's mind. Darabont directs with a sure hand, and has quite a few memorable moments writted in his screenplay, which is an outstanding work. He lets his actors due their thing, focusing on them more than anything else, and lets this plot just develop. It's a great thing to watch this one unfold. The cinematography and brilliant score add to the feel of this film. Film scores sometimes have the tendency to overwhelm the film, but this is a restrained piece of music that soars with the viewer's emotion.
You can complain about the "pleasantness" of prison. You can complain about how the prisoners don't age at all during the film. You can complain about Darabont's tendency to show the viewers everything at all, about how his film may have too much dialogue, how it may be too long, or how you've just seen the film before a long time ago. You can even say that it is highly derivative, with good performances, but a plot that has been time tested. Hell, you could complain about anything in the world, for that matter. I frankly don't, if you'll pardon the French, give a damn. For me, and hundreds of other devoted fans, THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION is one highly entertaining film that grabs the viewer, and brings him on a superbly paced journey into the land of hope. The ultimate feel-good movie in a year of feel-good movies, and one of the best examples of pure entertainment, THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION is gold. Could it ever happen? Probably not. But "The Shawshank Redemption" reminds you that film is not meant to always be plausible. Sometimes movies take you to another dimension, another world, where everything isn't supposed to make sense, but it does. Sometimes movies are supposed to transport you to a time and place so great, you don't want to leave. This is one of those movies. Simply amazing.
RATING: **** out of ****
Movie Reviews by Sridhar Prasad
Movie Reviews starting with "S"
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