'The Shawshank Redemption' (1994): #2 Favorite Movie

I can remember when I watched this movie for the very first time. It was on a hot August night, just a couple of weeks before the start of my final year in Junior High School. It was on television, and my parents had asked me to come watch this movie with them. I reluctantly came in and sat down, thinking it would be just another one of my parents pleasures and that I would regret watching it. Boy, was I wrong. Immediately after the film had ended, I was completely stunned by what I had just seen. I had never really experienced such emotions from a movie before, like depression, concern, sadness and hopelessness. Then eventually, as things took a big turn, joy and hopefulness took over. And finally, once the film was near it's end, complete satisfaction and happiness. Great joy and hope was found in even the darkest of places. Once I had seen 'The Shawshank Redemption', I knew it would become a part of me for the rest of my life.

"Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free". That was the film's running tagline, and in many ways, it is the films central message.

Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a pretty successful banker, is given two life sentences to Shawshank prison for killing his wife and her lover. Once there, things do not go well for him at all. Then, Andy befriends the most unlikely of sorts: A convicted African-American murderer, by the name of Red (played by Morgan Freeman). You see, this film takes place around the late 1940's. Throughout the years in prison, Andy and Red, along with other fellow inmates, spend a great amount of time with each other. They play games in the courtyard, share stories of life outside prison during lunch, and eventually, they discover how one can suddenly "get used to" living behind stone walls and iron bars. On occasion though, Andy's behavior becomes a little unusual for a man in his position of imprisonment. He may be up to something. But if that is so, what could it be?

Frank Darabont, the screenwriter and director of the film, has become pretty well known for creating movies full of uplifting material in some of the most unusual situations. Some of those other films of his include 'The Green Mile' (1999) and 'The Majestic' (2001). But with his heartfelt dramas aside, he is also known as a huge horror movie-buff. He made 'The Mist' (2007), with it's hugely controversial ending, and is also the developer and producer for television's 'The Walking Dead'.

Stephen King also plays a huge part in 'The Shawshank Redemption' and in Frank Darabont's life in general. Firstly, King wrote the original novella of 'The Shawshank Redemption', which was originally entitled 'Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption'. Why Rita Hayworth was involved is something I just cannot tell you. You are just going to have to see for yourself as you watch the movie. Stephen King is also involved with Frank Darabont a lot because 'The Green Mile' was a novel of his also, as 'The Mist' was another one of his short stories, as well. Darabont is an obvious fan of Stephen King.

This movie holds elements and comparisons to other movies, such as 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest' (1975) and 'Cool Hand Luke' (1967), both of which also take place in a sort of prison-like setting. Both films are great ones in their own way, but for me they do not quite hold the same type of heart and soul that is felt in 'The Shawshank Redemption'. Whenever I am not in such a good mood, I usually think of this movie, then I start to feel a little better. Whenever I feel my life is not going so well, I think of 'Shawshank', and how good things can come to pass.

To say 'The Shawshank Redemption' is a great movie is kind of an understatement. It is almost a requirement in life itself to see this movie at least once before you die. You will never forget it.

4/4