The Shawshank Redemption - Review

“Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies” – a review of The Shawshank Redemption. 

It’s always tricky to know which way a Stephen King story will adapt to film, as some definitely work better than others. In 1994, his novella, “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption” was adapted into what has become a beloved classic, The Shawshank Redemption, and it was done incredibly well.

The film follows Andy Dufresne, played by Tim Robbins, who has been wrongfully convicted of murder. Sentenced to two consecutive life sentences in the Shawshank State Penitentiary, life looks pretty bleak for Andy as he has to learn to adapt to the brutal reality of prison life. He befriends Ellis “Red” Redding, played by the legendary Morgan Freeman, and uses his intelligence to help the corrupt prison warden to launder money. At its core, The Shawshank Redemption is a film about hope and friendship and is an absolute masterpiece.

This film is deeply human in the best way. Whilst the central theme is hope, it also explores the capacity for human resilience and the realities of incarceration. The film explores what happens to an individual when they’re institutionalised to such a degree that they cannot imagine life in the outside world, adding another layer of depth which resonates deeply with audiences.

Watching Andy and Red’s journey is a truly hopeful experience. We watch as Red changes, starting as an individual with no hope of ever regaining a normal life to becoming someone who is willing to believe in a potential future beyond his cell. Andy, on the other hand, resists hopelessness with small acts of rebellion, such as chiselling away at the walls in his cell slowly. This is a story of perseverance, faith and friendship, as the two men find hope and comradery with one another.

It has to be said that the performances by Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman are remarkable. Robbins performance is quiet and nuanced, perfectly balancing strength with vulnerability, and his growth is truly earned and feels completely authentic. Unsurprisingly, Freeman’s performance as Red is absolutely incredible. Dry wit and world weariness are coupled with the capacity to hope, his narration of the film is full of wise words and warmth, and the chemistry between the two men is completely believable and natural.

The cinematography is also fantastic. The prison itself is bleak, and claustrophobic, light and shadow is used to capture the oppressive gloom of the place, and the overall atmosphere of the prison reinforces the theme that hope can survive even in the worst circumstances. There’s plenty of symbolism to be found, such as the reoccurring bird motifs, and the score perfectly underscores the films emotional highs and lows.

One of the things I love so much about this film is how intimate it feels. The narration makes you feel like you’re being personally guided through the story rather than just watching on, and the screenplay perfectly expands the world of Shawshank carefully, allowing the plot to develop in a way that feels natural.

There’s a reason that The Shawshank Redemption has endured the way it has. It’s no mere prison drama but a celebration of friendship, determination and above all, hope. It’s a story of kindness in the face of cruelty, dignity in the face of oppression, and the hope of freedom is palpable throughout. If you’ve never seen this masterpiece, I cannot recommend it enough. The film reminds us that we need to “get busy living, or get busy dying”, a reminder that whatever the world throws at us, life must go on. This isn’t just a film, it’s a masterpiece, and one which I’m sure will continue to resonate with audiences for years to come.

Written by Tam Page

Posted by Mr. Tomney

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