Shawshank Redemption
Rating: 9.5/10
Director: Frank Darabont
Notable Stars: Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins
Ladies and Gentlemen, I present you the movie about which I can claim that it has done it. Shawshank Redemption has marked itself in the history of Hollywood in good books. Director Frank Darabont and Stars Tim Robbins accompanied by Morgan Freeman have made their presence felt in this Drama/thriller of 1994.
Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is convicted for murdering his wife and her new lover in what is known as revenge. He has to serve in jail where he meets Red (Morgan Freeman). The Warden Norton and Captain Hadley are the two throat clenching officers who wont tolerate ill discipline and would take 'any' measures according to circumstances even if they are for 'personal' reasons. As the story proceeds, Andy does not take any interest in friendships but still manages to befriend Red who as they call him in Prison
someone who can get things for you. As Andy is an Accountant he becomes an unofficial account manager of the police officers to file tax returns and to help them hide the
flaws in their financial statements. This leads to a much much greater role of Andy in the Prison.
The movie is an example of how life can treat you and how much little moments of happiness can mean. The pursuit of Andy to achieve the impossible has shown what a determined man can attain no matter how much time it takes. The movie is pure class with every single character displaying its essence in the story.
The librarian and the concept of institutionalize is the saddest part of the story. The dialogue that has tipped off the iceberg is none other than
1967 Parole Hearings Man: You feel you've been rehabilitated?
Ellis Boy "Red" Redding: Rehabilitated. Let's see now. You know, come to think of it, I have no idea what that means.
1967 Parole Hearings Man: Well, it means you're ready to rejoin society as
Ellis Boy "Red" Redding: I know what you think it means. Me, I think it's a made-up word, a poli- tician's word. A word so young fellas like you can wear a suit and tie and have a job. What do you really want to know? Am I sorry for what I did?
1967 Parole Hearings Man: well, are you
Ellis Boy "Red" Redding: Not a day goes by I don't feel regret, and not because I'm in here or because you think I should. I look back on myself the way I was...stupid kid who did that terrible crime...wish I could talk sense to him. Tell him how things are. But I can't. That kid's long gone, this old man is all that's left, and I have to live with that. (beat) Rehabilitated? That's a bullshit word, so you just go on ahead and stamp that form there, sonny, and stop wasting my damn time. Truth is, I don't give a shit.
Reviewed by Najam