The Shawshank Redemption(1994): Cape of ‘Good Hope’

Every year hollywood produces loads of trashes and a few good movies. Don’t get me wrong, those “trashes” are “eye-candies” for a segment of viewers, I know and I have no problem about Hollywood producing trash movies. But the problem is those few good movies often fail to maintain the fine line of aesthetics perfectly. Most of the times the movie lacks of something which can not be traced often but makes this movie ‘a little short to be the perfect’. The Shawshank Redemption, I don’t know how, seemed to have it all and became ‘perfectly perfect’ for my eyes and I usually place this movie on the very top part of my favorite list.

It is already 13 years since this movie got released, so most of the movie lovers around the world have already watched this movie and got inspired I suppose. So with a risk of making a repetition, I’m telling the story very briefly, if you already know then please skip-

Andy Dufresne (played by Tim Robbins) is a young and successful banker and his life changes drastically when he is convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife and her secret lover. He was sent to Shawshank prison, an infamous one for it’s brutal heritage towards prisoner. Here, he made friends with Red (played by Morgan Freeman), another prisoner, and some others. Dufresne never did lose hope, moreover he tried to kindle the fire of hope within Red and others. He cherished for freedom and struggled with the hardness of his prison life very calmly and kept on holding on his hope. Eventually, he made the ends on his own terms as well as helped Red to convert into a new person with new life. This story line includes many subplots which are equally important for the movie to make this so much unforgettable.

Tim Robbins gave his ‘once in a lifetime’ performance in this movie. Morgan Freeman was majestic, too. But I must mention a special performance by James Whitmore as Brooks. His character was not any leading role, but he carried out a special role with special purpose with a phenomenal performance. I loved The Green Mile too, but Frank Darabont was on his best in this movie.

Whenever I feel very exhausted, feel very lost in the lonely crowds of my city, feel like a prisoner of existence, I try to watch this movie. No, not to get inspiration, but to realize that fact yet again that every people has his own prison within himself, and to become a free man is just a matter of choice. I can be free in the darkest dungeon, if only I can foster hope, love and the sense of freedom deep inside of myself as the tag line of the movie states it nicely- ” Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free”. And, if you ask me to suggest you to name only one movie which you can watch to change/ enrich your attitude towards life I must recommend you this movie- “The Shawshank Redemption.”