Day
83 The
Shawshank Redemption [1994]
Screenplay Frank Darabont
Based on ‘Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption’ by
Stephen King
Director Frank Darabont
Cinematography Roger Deakins
Music Thomas Newman
Leads Tim
Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler, Clancy Brown, Gil Bellows,
James Whitmore
Production Castle Rock Entertainment
IMDb 9.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes 91%
No
pressure on this review eh? It’s only renowned as one of the best films of all
time. Number one on IMDb, most people’s favourite film ever. And somehow this
was the first time I had ever watched it start to finish. I think I had seen the
whole film in parts, but for some reason never sat down to watch it from title
to credits. I think I was scared of not liking a film that everyone seems to
love. I’ll level with you, it is an excellent, emotional film, but not a
favourite of mine. It didn’t quite grip me like Forrest Gump did (I
think they were released the same year). The writing was the best thing about
it, adapted from a novella written by the untouchable Stephen King. The plot
twisted and turned, and you never know whether to like Andy (Robbins), we don’t
know whether he is innocent until halfway through, and even then, one could
argue that we never truly find out. All the actors deserve credit in this film,
I didn’t think there was a weak character among them. Morgan Freeman was of
course peerless in his role as Red. I don’t usually enjoy narration, but when
it’s Morgan who can argue?
The lens of Deakins’ camera does not show off
his skills, but instead imperceptibly gives the characters their own time and space
in each shot, as prison is not a flashy place. The music also is background to
the story, and so it lurks back there without much input, and yet Newman’s
inputs are perfect. There are multiple scenes from this
film that could make it into Absolute Scenes. You’ll have to go have a read to
see which ones. This film is surprisingly relevant to today’s problems with the
US justice system. I’m not sure whether it was trying to – but it made important
comments on the institutionalisation of prisoners, the outrageous prison
industry complex and wrongful convictions – and so now everyone has woken up to
these problems, it is perhaps more relevant today than it was back then. (Have
a watch of 13th for an excellent view on these issues). Although
it isn’t going down as one of my favourite films, it certainly deserves its
place in popular culture as one of the best films ever made.
Acting 3.5 / 4
Writing 4 / 4
Cinematography 3.5 / 4
Music 3 / 4
HWF rating 3.5 / 4