Writer: Frank Darabont (Screenplay) Stephen King (Short Story)
Starring: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler, Clancy Brown, Gil Bellows, Mark Rolston, James Whitmore, Jeffrey DeMunn
Plot: Two imprisoned men bond over a number of years, finding solace and eventual redemption through acts of common decency.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Masterpiece
Story: The Shawshank Redemption starts with Andy Dufresne (Robbins) telling his story about what happened when his ex-wife and new lover have been murdered, a crime he is found guilty of and sentenced to 2 life sentences. Next we meet Red (Freeman) who is up for parole after twenty years of his life sentence which gets rejected.
We see how Red guides Andy around the prison teaching him the ropes, as Andy tries to survive the vicious prison scene with Captain Hadley (Brown) throwing of beatings for fun. As his time continues Andy becomes popular with the guards from not just this prison but others as he helps them all with their finances. All this is his plan for his escape but he has to be patient.
The Shawshank Redemption is a film that really doesn’t need me too explain too much, we know how good this film is and anything I say about the story has already been said. The story includes the corruption within prison and the push for hope even when everything is against you. This is a story that you simply have to have seen once in your life. (10/10)
Actor Review
Tim Robbins: Andy Dufresne is the man wrongly convicted of murder, which leads to him being locked up for back to back life sentences. He has to navigate prison life before becoming popular with the inmates and guards alike. He decides to plan his own escape without letting anyone else know. Tim gives a great performance that is easily one of the basic performance that the character is always thinking. (10/10)
Morgan Freeman: Red is the go to guy within the prison that helps Andy get what he wants, he also becomes best friends with Andy over the years helping each other through the problems of prison life. Morgan gives one of his best performances and in this role we learn just how amazing his voice is in a narration tone. (10/10)
Bob Gunton: Warden Norton takes advantage of all the hard work Andy does to help generate more money for himself rather than helping the inmates out. Bob gives a great performance as the warden who is out to make himself rich. (8/10)
Support Cast: The Shawshank Redemption has a large supporting cast that all help either Andy or the Warden we get clear sides of the fight to get through the prison life.
Director Review: Frank Darabont – Frank gives us a masterpiece that will live long in the memory and will always get talked about. (10/10)
Drama: The Shawshank Redemption manages to show all of the human factors of surviving in the prison system and how careful planning could change a few things. (10/10)
Settings: The Shawshank Redemption has the most part the prison as its setting which makes full sense as we see how untie the inmates can become. (10/10)
Suggestion: The Shawshank Redemption is a film that everyone should see once, it has to be watched to see not only how great the story is but how amazing Stephen King can write none horror. (WATCH)
Best Part: Red’s final parole hearing.
Worst Part: Let’s be picky here, what if Andy wasn’t in the end cell?
Believability: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: Nominated for 7 Oscars, won none.
Box Office: $2.3 Million
Budget: $25 Million
Runtime: 2 Hour 22 Minutes
Tagline: Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
Trivia: Rob Reiner loved Frank Darabont‘s script so much that he offered $2.5 million for the rights to the script so he could direct it. Darabont seriously considered Reiner’s offer but ultimately decided that it was his “chance to do something really great” by directing the movie himself. Reiner wanted Harrison Ford and Tom Cruise to play Red and Andy respectively.
Overall: A masterpiece that will live long in the memory of all film fans out there.
Rating