The Shawshank Redemption
by Cheeto
Posted on 28 May 2021
Rating -
The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 American drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont, based on the 1982 Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. It tells the story of banker Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), who is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murders of his wife and her lover, despite his claims of innocence. Over the following two decades, he befriends a fellow prisoner, contraband smuggler Ellis “Red” Redding (Morgan Freeman), and becomes instrumental in a money-laundering operation led by the prison warden Samuel Norton (Bob Gunton). William Sadler, Clancy Brown, Gil Bellows, and James Whitmore appear in supporting roles.
I must admit, I put off reviewing this film. I mean, where do you start? There is just so many things that this film executes right. It’s a masterpiece, there’s no other words to describe it. There is a reason why it’s the highest rated movie on IMDb, beating out films such as; The Godfather, The Dark Knight and The Matrix. As much as I love this film, and agree that it deserves the title as the greatest film ever made; I’ve only ever watched it a handful of times. This is due to the fact that it’s not just a film that you can put on and watch, you need to mark it out on your diary and plan days in advance, it’s because when you watch it, it’s not just a film, it’s a life event.
I think this film gets everything a film can get right. The writing, the direction, the cast, the score, it’s got everything. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman are brilliant as our main protagonists, they are such different characters and have such different backstories, that they just work so well on screen together. The way these two are on screen together; you can fully believe that they have been best friends for life.
I love how well paced this movie is; the movie sets itself up perfectly. It tells us everything that we need to know. Even though it’s a long film, it doesn’t feel it at all. I love the writing in this film, I seriously can’t think of a better written film. This film is a drama, and there’s lots of scenes where our characters are just sat around talking to one-another, the story and dialogue is so well written that it adds rather than takes away from the film.
Thomas Newman really is on his a-game with the soundtrack to The Shawshank Redemption. Every piece of the soundtrack just whisks you away, it truly is hauntingly beautiful. It certainly is one of his best soundtracks, this helps add something extra to the film.
I just want you to, once you’ve clicked off of the review, to realise how great a film this is. Well I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this is the greatest film ever made. There simply isn’t any negatives. The stars certainly aligned when they made this. Like I said, they just get everything so right when it comes to the film.
Overall, I think everyone should watch this film at least once, you’ve got certain life goals; reading, writing, driving, drinking, moving out and watching this film. DEFINITELY watch this film guys.
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