This, the top-rated film of all time (since 2008 and according to IMDB), is a touching tale of the blossoming of friendship within the oppressive walls of Shawshank State Penitentiary - a place where gross corruption runs rampant.
Our main protagonist is Andy Dufresne - a banker serving a life sentence after being found guilty of murdering his wife and her lover. Clever, enigmatic, and arguably likable, Andy is a man who thinks outside the cold, hard box (symbolism?), even if it means engaging in incredibly risky behavior that can result in receiving a serious beatdown, potential rape, or even death.
We're shown early on, by the way, that it doesn't take very much convincing at all for the ruthless and vicious head guard, Captain Hadley (and not even the main antagonist), to beat a prisoner senseless in front of everyone. The victim soon succumbing to his serious injuries, his untimely death a result of his crying too loudly on his first night in.
Regardless, Andy has a tendency to "act out" not impulsively, but because he has long-term visions. Forward visions that usually result in a positive outcome either benefitting him, his fellow inmates, and at times even the film's biggest villains. But we're sometimes made to wonder why he even bothers. What's his final goal, as a man destined to die within those prison walls?
Is it all for the greater good? Is it because it helps him maintains some sense of diminishing sanity whenever he's not in solitary confinement? Is it for shits and giggles? Or is there another reason altogether?
The film also presents some religious themes and brings up an important and serious question regarding the consequences of breaking human beings until they adjust to prison life and later on expecting them to adjust back to normal civilian life as seamlessly as possible.
All that aside, the writing is top-notch and the performances are stellar. The cinematography is solid as well, with shots showing the almost-beautiful exterior of Shawshank itself, and good camera work the few times that the story takes place outside of the main location. The emotions you'll go through -whether they're feelings of lament, joy, hatred, or satisfaction- are varied and well sprinkled throughout.
It's an excellent film, to be sure and I refuse to go into any further detail.
Buy this movie if you're a film collector. If not, definitely borrow it from a friend (and return it, dammit!), or find somewhere to stream it. Highly recommended.
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