The Shawshank Redemption

Genre: Drama
Year of release: 1994
Director: Frank Darabont

"Get busy living or get busy dieing"

This was the 4th time I have watched this film and it is still one of my favorites I can not see why rotten tomatoes has given it an 8 out of 10 average rating it makes no sense, however I do not believe imdb to be correct either it is not the number one movie of all time that goes to Citizen Kane followed by the Godfather however this movie should place in top 10 or top 20 IMO.

The Shawshank Redemption is a reasonably new day classic the story follows a young man who pleads not guilty to the murder of his wife and her lover however he gets thrown in prison for two back to back life sentences. In the prison he establishes relationships with his inmates and works on certain projects to keep his mind occupied.

I did not really think about this much until the end but the Shawshank Redemption has no action parts at all, yet I was so enthralled by the movie it was as exciting as an action the whole way through it keeps you interested in the talking scenes on the edge of your seat thinking back on it seems funny that you get so excited over a couple of words I felt the same way in 12 angry men. The characters in this are simply marvelous perfect you love them from start to finish and really feel their emotions as if you knew them personally. The acting is not outstanding however it is very good, doesn't absolutely amaze me because of its acting like Streetcar does. It has a few scenes were the acting even drops to average but it is hard to hold such a almost perfect movie down just because of these few scenes. The story is amazing and very emotional it is truly a piece of art.

These character's are some of the best the warden, red and of course Andy Dufresne we feel every hardship and celebrate every triumph with them and that what makes this movie so great. The movie gets better and better as it goes along, every time the characters are at a low makes the high times feel great. I love watching Andy surprise both me and the other characters in this movie it build the feeling I get every time I see him.

Andy looks very guilty in the beginning however we can start to doubt it as the movie progresses and in the end you really can chose weather he is guilty or not however many things in my mind suggest that he is innocent epically the things Tommy said. Andy's character is good in my mind always caring and wanting to help, he never gets angry and hardly gets sad he just cruises through even jail time "strolling like a man in the park". His character keeps his mind busy with his rock carving, sending letters to build an new library, keeping the guards and even the wardens fiances safe from the Irs and many more things. His character is very smart and before his jail sentence you to be a banker. Andy never losses spirit and his character reminds me of Cold Hand Luke yet more caring about people.

Red is the guy who can get you things, he is basically a normal guy goes through life like a normal person. Red gets changed by Andy he really adds a new level to him, gives him hope and even saves him from taking his life. Red is Andy's best friend and from start to finish I don't think they ever fight. He is discouraged by prison like everybody else yet Andy cheers him up, like everybody else. Red obtains certain items from the outside world and delivers them to inmates at a price, and this is how him and Andy become friends Red gets Andy a number of different items throughout this film including Rita Hayworth.

The Warden is a christian man yet very crocked and deserves to be in the prison more than most of the people in there epically Andy and even Red. He is acted quite well I thought. The warden appears to be a good man at first and it is very cool to see just how bad a man he is.

I love the way this movie ends one of the best most astonishing ending I have seen it uses great flash backs in the end scene to show and point out the things you might have missed at first sight. In conclusion a wonderful classic movie no matter what anybody says it is my favorite and critically a great movie. This is the film that everybody likes, I don't know any one who doesn't

10/10