Review: The Shawshank Redemption

Murder is what Andy Dufrense, played by Tim Robins, is convicted of. Murder of his wife and her other significant other: life in prison. This is what the viewer first learns in watching The Shawshank Redemption (1994), directed by Frank Darabont. It is unclear whether or not he is innocent, but the viewer learns later in the movie. The first person Andy talks to in prison is Red, played by Morgan Freeman, who becomes his teacher in a way. We see the contradictory relationship between Andy, banker, the prison guards and the Warden (Bob Gunton), which plays a key role in Andy’s fate.

I am not an expert on the way of life in prison, but the depiction of it in The Shawshank Redemption I find very interesting. I have a feeling that it is quite rare that a prisoner makes deals with the guards and does their tax returns. I don’t find it likely that a prisoner would receive grants to build a new library inside their prison. However, I think Darabont did a spectacular job directing and writing how the characters interact with one another. Most stories about prisons are all about the violence and the hate between prisoners. At the same time it would be unreasonable and unrealistic to show just the friendliness and companionship. The story of The Shawshank Redemption has a perfect balance of these aspects of prison life. There are “the sisters” who are violent, especially toward Andy, and they show guards beating prisoners who misbehave or simply because they feel like it. The dialogue is outstanding. Red gets rejected at his interview for parole, and another prisoner says, “I’m up for rejection next week”. It gives you a taste of what the mental state of prisoners is. They don’t have very much hope, which is a key part of the movie. The dialogue is comical, serious and fascinating without making it seem unrealistic, like it is set up. It makes the viewer feel as though they are with the prisoners and understand them; it seems real-life.

The symbolism was fantastic. The symbols were significant without being too obvious. Brooks (James Whitmore), the initial librarian and the oldest prisoner we meet, carries the most significant symbol of the movie; Jake the Crow. Jake fell from his nest, lost from his home and fresh start of life. He was taken in, living a life in the confinement of Brook’s pocket. When he was old enough and rehabilitated, he was set free. Sound familiar? Despite the involvement of confinement, his film is about freedom and hope. The scene where Andy breaks into the overhead speaker room and plays Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro” is a breakthrough scene. The whole prison hears it, and for a few moments, they are free.

The combination of the acting, Roger Deakin’s cinematography, and Richard Frances-Bruce’s editing made the movie that much more outstanding. The close-ups on the characters faces and the actors’ facial expressions made it that much more moving. Additionally, the long shots of multiple characters lined up in several different settings made the character interaction, again, seem so real. All the makers of this film including the producers, Niki Marvin, David V. Lester, and Liz Gitz were an amazing team at reinterpreting Stephen King’s story and creating it to be comfortably complex and truly moving.