MODERN CLASSICS MOVIE REVIEW: The Shawshank Redemption
"Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free."
By Leslie Sun
Based on a Steven King short story, The Shawshank Redemption (1994) is famous for its stunning plot, especially the astonishing climax. If you have seen this movie, there is no need for me to retell it; and if you haven't, I won't tell you either because it will absolutely ruin the great charm you are sure to get from the movie. Besides the plot, there are also many factors that have made this movie one of the bests ever--Frank Darabont's direction, Roger Deakins' photography, and Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman's acting. The last element is what this article is about.
Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman gave their best performances in this masterpiece for the ages. As the hero of the story, banker Andy Dufresne, Robbins adopted a slightly ironical way of acting to show Andy's poor situation. He also impressed viewers by showing an unchangeable belief in hope. All through the 19 years of prison life, Andy never gave up his hope of being free for even a second. No one will ever forget the scene where Andy spread his body against the falling rain. Andy's escape, forgive me for citing the name of THAT movie, was a triumph of the will.
Andy was not alone. He had a mate, a supporter, a leader, and a friend--Red. Red is the warmest character I've seen in the movies, ever. Morgan Freeman was nominated by the Academy for the best leading actor in 1995 but the award was taken by Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump, another unforgettable character in the history of Hollywood. In many fans' hearts, however, Red undoubtedly deserved an Oscar. Many Academy members couldn't appreciate Freeman's underplaying of the part rather than acting it so that viewers could more easily see Red's cynicism and boredom. In spite of the odds, Freeman's Red is remembered as the eternal sunshine of Shawshank prison, the heart of the movie.
The name of Steven King's original story was "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption." Rita Hayworth was a Hollywood star in the 1940's. She figured in the story because her poster has a role in the climax. From this we can tell that the strength of King's story lies more in its plot rather than anything else. But in this movie, the center is the spirit. It has inspired so many people to rise up from their plight. I strongly recommend this movie to those who haven't seen it. To those who have already seen the movie, I want to say, when you are cornered, think of Andy and Red.
By Leslie Sun
Based on a Steven King short story, The Shawshank Redemption (1994) is famous for its stunning plot, especially the astonishing climax. If you have seen this movie, there is no need for me to retell it; and if you haven't, I won't tell you either because it will absolutely ruin the great charm you are sure to get from the movie. Besides the plot, there are also many factors that have made this movie one of the bests ever--Frank Darabont's direction, Roger Deakins' photography, and Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman's acting. The last element is what this article is about.
Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman gave their best performances in this masterpiece for the ages. As the hero of the story, banker Andy Dufresne, Robbins adopted a slightly ironical way of acting to show Andy's poor situation. He also impressed viewers by showing an unchangeable belief in hope. All through the 19 years of prison life, Andy never gave up his hope of being free for even a second. No one will ever forget the scene where Andy spread his body against the falling rain. Andy's escape, forgive me for citing the name of THAT movie, was a triumph of the will.
Andy was not alone. He had a mate, a supporter, a leader, and a friend--Red. Red is the warmest character I've seen in the movies, ever. Morgan Freeman was nominated by the Academy for the best leading actor in 1995 but the award was taken by Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump, another unforgettable character in the history of Hollywood. In many fans' hearts, however, Red undoubtedly deserved an Oscar. Many Academy members couldn't appreciate Freeman's underplaying of the part rather than acting it so that viewers could more easily see Red's cynicism and boredom. In spite of the odds, Freeman's Red is remembered as the eternal sunshine of Shawshank prison, the heart of the movie.
The name of Steven King's original story was "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption." Rita Hayworth was a Hollywood star in the 1940's. She figured in the story because her poster has a role in the climax. From this we can tell that the strength of King's story lies more in its plot rather than anything else. But in this movie, the center is the spirit. It has inspired so many people to rise up from their plight. I strongly recommend this movie to those who haven't seen it. To those who have already seen the movie, I want to say, when you are cornered, think of Andy and Red.
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