THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (R)
Directed by Frank Darabont Running Time: 142 minutes Originally Released: 1994
Reviewed by E. Benjamin Kelsey
* * * * (out of four)
THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION is by far one of the very very best, if not THEE best film of the 1990's. It is one of the most rich examples of cinema of recent time and truly lets it be known that "movies" can be forms of art in every sense. This film was the film that was nominated for everything and yet won nothing, a very sad and undeserved disappointment. It was beat out by BRAVEHEART for the Best Picture Oscar in 1995, and to be honest, I would hate to have to decide between the two.
THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION is based on a short story by Stephen King, but, before you jump to any conclusions, it does not involve the occult, supernatural, or any ghosts, ghouls, and goblins. It is the story of Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins best role to date), the successful vice president banker, is on trial for the murder of his wife and her lover. As we quickly learn, she was having a steamy affair with some unknown golf pro, and both were shot to death in bed just minutes after Andy, drunk and carrying a loaded pistol, waited outside the lover's house. With no other suspects and a gun that was never found, Andy is sadly sentenced to two life-sentences for double homicide.
The story is narrated by our other central character of the plot: a black, slightly older prisoner simply known as "Red" (played magnificently by Morgan Freeman). Red seems to be the most sympathetic, mature, and sensible prisoner at Shawshank, the New England prison where we do time along with the inmates. He is also known for being able to smuggle in anything you need (within reason that is). He is a self-proclaimed "Sears & Roebuck", and from the moment Andy arrives, something draws Red to him. Andy seems so peaceful, humble, and even unaware of his dreary surroundings and his dreary reality. Even when he is raped and beaten, he manages to go about every day as though he had no cares in the world.
SHAWSHANK doesn't take long to get you so engrossed in it's characters, that you find it impossible not to care about them and what they're going to do next. You feel their pain, you smile with their happiness, and you feel desperate with their desperation. Such character driven movies are always my favorite. They're the kind of movies where most of the plot and intrigue is simply getting to know the characters, making them real and tangible, and as much a part of your life as they can be. SHAWSHANK succeeds where so many others don't.
THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION is such a beautifully done picture that it makes it hard to write about. Words like "great", "fantastic", and "wonderful" are so overused and unjustifying for such a masterpiece. But, for the lack of better words, the cinematography IS great, the depth of the story IS fantastic, and the acting, direction, and everything else IS absolutely wonderful. It is a touching film that could (and should) bring a tear to your eye despite it's depressing overtones.
To repeat myself, as I can find no other way to praise this film, THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION is truly a masterpiece and one of the best of the best movies of the decade. If you miss this one, you ARE missing out on something spectacular! Morgan Freeman, Tim Robbins, director Frank Darabont, and cinematographer Roger Deakins all deserve the highest acclaims. This IS an instant classic!
November 28, 1997
The review above was posted to the
rec.arts.movies.reviews newsgroup (de.rec.film.kritiken for German reviews).
The Internet Movie Database accepts no responsibility for the contents of the
review and has no editorial control. Unless stated otherwise, the copyright
belongs to the author.
Please direct comments/criticisms of the review to relevant newsgroups.
Broken URLs inthe reviews are the responsibility of the author.
The formatting of the review is likely to differ from the original due
to ASCII to HTML conversion.
Related links: index of all rec.arts.movies.reviews reviews