72 out of 72 people found this review helpful.
THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION : "One of the finest films ever to grace the silver screen...."
Date of Review: Oct 13, 2001
The Bottom Line: The bottom line is that you Have to see this film....... you won't be disappointed.... i'll give you my money back guarantee :-)
NOTE: This is my 3rd try on trying to publish this review. The epinions site has been down alot and now I finally hope this review will work.
"Remember, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies. "
This is one of the many great lines of this fantastic film. If you only watch one movie that I recommend, let it be this one. This is my favorite film of all time....
"The Shawshank Redemption" takes part in a dreary prison, yet by the end of the film you are filled with nothing but inspiration and hope. The true meaning of this film is of staying alive through all of life's struggles and looking toward the good things in life such as imagination, friendship and love. The film shows us how a man can be sent through the worse possible scenario and still keep hope alive among yourself and friends. I personally believe that since we are all in this hard life together, we should help each other through it.
What surprised me is that this film is based on a Stephen King novel. As many of us know, King's novels that are turned into films don't usually turn out to be impressive. Luckily for us, one of stephen's best novels was carefully moved onto the big screen and turned into a great film. Books can be made into good movies, I just feel that many people believe that since the book is a hit, that they don't need to do any work on the making of the film. It's a great gift to us that the filmmakers here decided to work hard on a script. The film is basically about a quiet man (Tim Robbins) who gets sent to jail for life for a crime he did not commit. While there he makes friends with Morgan Freeman's character who is one of the more popular inmates at the prison. Together their friendship becomes strong and they learn from each other how to stay positive and hold on to a feeling of personal worth through the worst of times.
The picture has perfect performances from all areas, its almost like watching the real thing. It is powerful and captivating. This film made me cry not because of the bad things that happened in it, but because of the pure power and beauty and true happiness. It moves you like no other film and for just a little while you feel like you are transported into a place where hope is kept alive and friendship and love mean alot.
Narrator: "I have no idea to this day what those two Italian ladies were singing about. Truth is, I don't want to know. Some things are better left unsaid. I'd like to think they were singing about something so beautiful it can't expressed in words, and it makes your heart ache because of it. I tell you, those voices soared higher and farther than anybody in a gray place dares to dream. It was as if some beautiful bird had flapped into our drab little cage and made these walls dissolve away, and for the briefest of moments, every last man in Shawshank felt free." Lines like this proliferate in the movie which shows why I consider it to be one of the best ever written. An all around great cast in every area keeping the film alive and well and giving me "hope" that good films can still be made in Hollywood.
I tried to think of cons to give this film but I couldn't come up with any. Its a film that is carefully and masterfully directed from all levels. Not only is it well directed and acted and written, but it does wonders for the viewer of the film as well. The truly vast inspirational story will not only make you love the film but it might also inspire you to live your own life in a more positive and hopeful way no matter what obstacles you face along the way.
