8 The Shawshank Redemption

There are movies and there are movies.....there are most which are made to entertain, to earn profits and to make stars and then there are some which are meant to educate, inspire and provoke a thought deep within...these are movies which are meant to be and " The Shawshank Redemption" is probably the brightest shining beacon of this genre of cinema. Intrinsically, a story of friendship between the most unlikely of characters, the movie is a beautiful and profound message of hope amidst scorching darkness.

A meticulously chiseled screenplay allows the movie to be a vehicle of multiple layers of thoughts. On the forefront it's a prison movie, yet by touching on the theme of a will to live and hope in the face of despair among such a motley of convicted humans, the movie is actually an analogy of freeing oneself from the prison of one's own mind...as is very aptly conveyed in the movie's tagline "Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free"

Based on Stephen King's "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption", the movie tells the story of Andy Dufresne, a successful banker, who based on circumstancial evidence is convicted for the murder of his wife and her lover and is sentenced to two successive life sentences at Shawshank Prison. There he meets and befriends Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding, a veteran of the prison and it's go-getter. Amidst the four walls of the prison, Andy keeps his hopes alive and in an attempt to feel normal takes up initiatives such as enhancing the existing library, doing the tax accounts of all the officers and helping the convicts restart their studies. Amidst all of these, what he always keeps close to himself is the hope of a better tomorrow, the dream of breathing as a free man again which is immortalised by his words "Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things and no good thing ever dies".

Of course, he does live his dream when he escapes from the prison in dramatic fashion...however, even his escape is actually a story of courage, persistence and determination, of staring the problem in the face and looking for a solution rather than turning away in despair.
Also, on another layer the movie is the story of the transformation of Red from a non-believer ("hope is a dangerous thing, he says) to his ultimate realisaton and belief in the power of hope ("I hope I can make it across...I hope to meet my friend...I hope the Pacific...I hope.)

Moments:-

• The scene on the terrace when all the convicts are drinking beer and Andy has that look of satisaction on his face is a treat. However, beating that is the moment of bliss that Andy exhibits when he puts on Mozart on the gramaphone for the whole prison to listen thereby making everyone feel normal and free for a small worthwile moment.
• The two seemingly confrontational scenes between Andy and Red...one, where Andy talks about keeping hope alive deep within, where no one can touch it and the other where on Red's categorical dismissal of his dreams ("This is just shitty pipedreams...") , Andy retorts about it being a matter of choice ("Get busy livin or get busy dyin") bring out the dilemma of both the individuals to the fore very aptly.
• The escape sequence, followed by Andy's moment of freedom and victory as he raises his hands in the air, half-naked, rain droplets rinsing him of dirt from the sewage and analogically cleansing him of his ordeal is pure magic.
• And of course, the final scene, encapturing the ultimate redemption of the two friends is one which will lift the downest of hearts at their bleakest hours. The camera capturing the wide expanse of the Pacific as the two protagonists meet shows their sense of freedom. No longer are the prison mates confined by walls, iron bars and supervisory guards. Both are redeemed, reconnected and reunited with the precious possession of freedom.

Cast n Crew:-

• Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne is perfectly cast. He brings about the necessary bit of sincerity to his character as he effectively portarys the emotions of determination and self doubt that his character goes through.
• Morgan Freeman as Ellis Red is also equally brilliant, if not more. Essaying the character of a man who is a go-getter upfront and an obvious leader, he portrays the moments of his inner fear and despair convincingly. The final parole hearing scene where he finally speaks his mind is as good an enacted scene as there ever was.
• However, the movie is essentially its director's. Frank Darabont displays an amazing sense of heightened sensibilities as he goes about making a piece of art. His deliberate slackening of the pace of the movie brings about it's inherent essence.
• Also, to be mentioned worthily, is the name of Alfred Newman who composes a background score which for once seamlessly blends into the storyline, speaking with the audience as a medium in itself.

The Shawshank Redemption is a movie to be watched, not just because it will entertain you or educate you, not just because it translates a relevant message, not just because its a piece of art, a poetry in motion...all these are good enough reasons but watch this one for no reason at all, watch it because its there to be watched, watch it because its meant to be watched, watch it because you have the privilege.

Rating:- 9.5
Comment:- Standing Ovation

More info here:- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111161/