The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Thirty years ago, this inspiring prison drama based upon a short story by Stephen King was released to thunderous acclaim and weak box office.  Over time via strong video/DVD sales and steady play on cable, it built up a very devoted following to the point where it is now ranked #1 among all films rated on IMDB.  It's a beloved story focusing on two convicts at Shawshank Prison named Andy (Tim Robbins) and Red (Morgan Freeman) who become very close friends over several decades.  Directed by Frank Darabont (The Walking Dead, The Mist), it was also nominated for seven Oscars including Best Picture.  You either get busy living for get busy dying....

Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon

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Transcript

THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION - 1994

Directed by Frank Darabont          

Starring Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler, Clancy Brown, il Bellows, Mark Rolston, Jeffrey DeMunn, Larry Brandenburg, Neil Giuntoli, and James Whitmore

Genre: Prison Drama (Audio clip)

I remember seeing this in theaters and liking it but not loving it...there had been some pre-release hype about it being a "masterpiece" that was about to take the world by storm. Unfortunately, from my standpoint, it came out smack between two other films that I just adored and couldn't get enough of at the time - Pulp Fiction and Quiz Show. Seriously though Quiz Show is a FANTASTIC film and it still holds up as far as I'm concerned. ;) All three films would be nominated for Best Picture that year....all to lose to Forrest Gump. But for me, 'Shawshank was always a bit overshadowed by its immediate competition, it's all about timing.

But here's the other thing: this film for all of its grit is not meant in ANY way to be realistic and I guess upon initial viewing, I was primed for a brutal prison drama that would just knock me on my ass! The year before this, American Me had come out...as had the brilliant In the Name of the Father. Those films were going for realism and just nailed it, American Me even moreso which probably has among the most disturbing scenes set in a prison I have ever seen. 

So the bar was set pretty high and 'Shawshank was just never going to clear that...this WAS based on Stephen King story after all, it had poetry to it and also cartoonishly macabre villains right out of a King horror story like IT. King was never one for subtlety OR realism...and that's how writer/director Frank Darabont adapted it, this is a fable with heightened situations and larger-than-life characters. :) There is no human who ever walked the planet who acts like Andy Dufresne...certainly not the often dazed way Tim Robbins plays him either….which I’ll get to in just a bit.  Regardless the emotional core of this film is a very touching friendship which develops between Andy and Morgan Freeman’s Red.

It helps to have a never-ending stream of relatable yet poetic narration actually being uttered by Morgan Freeman because his presence and vocal timber eventually carries this film...along with gorgeous cinematography from Roger Deakins, a game supporting cast, and a lovely score from Thomas Newman.  And even more impressively, they also pull off that crazy twisty ending which is no small feat either…..THAT crazy yet elegant montage of Andy’s escape is where Darabont as a director REALLY shines. (Audio clip)   

Best Needledrop (best song cue or score used throughout runtime of film)

& Trailer Moment (scene or moment that best describes this movie):

Yeah this is kind of a no-brainer as these two categories go hand-in-hand.  The SONG is the classical melody “The Marriage of Figaro” conducted by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart….The SET-UP occurs roughly an hour into the film when Andy decides to broadcast this song throughout the ENTIRE yard from the library…..and the PAYOFF?  

 The REACTION to this seemingly random stunt by Andy. (Audio clip) 

And what results holds up as one of THE most life-affirming scenes in the history of cinema….and very likely the biggest reason that this film has earned such a special place in the hearts of so many. (Audio clip) 

This possibly also features the best acting from Robbins as he elegantly portrays Andy’s quiet defiance as the Gunton’s Warden Norton and his “henchman” lead by Clancy Brown’s Captain Hadley…..Robbin’s face changes as they barrel down on him but just slightly as he settles back trying to enjoy a few more fleeting seconds of this …..AND also the best voice-over narration from Freeman.  I LOVE how Freeman just sells the shit out of it with whimsical dialogue like the following. (Audio clip) 

And Deakin's camera is panning over the faces of all of these prisoners just staring aghast into the sky and it's just beautiful! It's a true go-for-broke moment that could fizzle in lesser hands and props to Darabont and crew for just GOING for it. 🤗 

Wasted Talent (most under-utilized talent involved with film):

Now back to Tim Robbins and I know this will be a controversial take.  Sorry but I just think he was somewhat miscast….he just plays just WAY too much of this story in such a chilly manor, this role SCREAMS for a relatable 'mid '90's everyman like Tom Hanks to sell it. Especially given what is revealed about Andy in the 3rd act....

SPOILER ALERT
 (for a 37 year old movie) 

Here’s what I have always found strange: the way Andy is played by Robbins play in those early courtroom scenes, it was always my assumption that he killed his wife.  Therefore having the Gil Bellows character come out with that story to clear him just feels like an unnecessary contrivance...

SPOILER OVER

Even though he wouldn’t have been my first choice, Robbins is still good enough for the most part to keep the story moving and if you look at the film through a more fantastical lens, it possibly works better.

MVP (person or people most responsible for the success of this film):

Bottom line, this is Freeman's movie 100%...this story simply does NOT work without his presence and narration to guide it through and ground it.  It’s also pretty ironic that he would lose the Best Actor Oscar that year to...Tom Hanks…..playing Forrest Gump…..huh. :/ This story becomes HIS journey, HIS arc, and HIS emotional payoff at the very end.  (Audio clip) 

There are aspects of his character which are not completely realistic but that’s pretty much line with the overall realism of the story.  Morgan Freeman delivers an all-time performance and for that reason, he is the MVP. 

Final Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Do I think this film is an unassailable masterpiece worthy of being ranked Number One according to the aggregate of all IMDB ratings? Not really....but I get its appeal as an inspiring fable, I get why so many folks love it, and I get why 30 years later I still feel compelled to revisit it.

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And that ends another GET BUSY LIVING OR GET BUSY DYING review!