Analysis of a classic..... Review on Shawshank Redemption Movie

There are countable number of movies based on books that have done justice to the greatness of the book. The book has enjoyed a position that the movie based on the books try and emulate and in most cases fail to attain or at least match the superiority of the parent written matter. An unbiased and independent scrutiny of the movies might actually report that the movies by themselves are rather good, however, the fact that the movie is based on a book demands and justifies the need to analyze them in a bracket and this is not possible without comparing the two. There are, however, a few examples of movies that have matched up to the reputation and the class of its parent book. One of these is the classic “The Shawshank Redemption”. A book by Stephen King, which has been transformed into a visual, emotional and intellectual treat by Frank Darabont (The Green Mile) comparable to a tribute to the novel. The movie cannot be reviewed without touching upon the book that has created the movie. This hard-hitting story by Stephen King is about the journey of human spirit and will in the form of a brilliant banker who is unjustly convicted of murder and is deemed to serve two back-to-back life sentences at the Shawshank state prison. Andy Dufresne suffers the harsh realities and sufferings of prison life, the likes of which are unimaginable and unbelievable to people like us, who have lead comfortable and cozy lives. For twenty years, Andy carries on enduring terrible hardships, relatively cushioned due to his wonderful banking abilities, which are made full use of, by the guards and later by the warden for his illegal activities. Even a thwarted opportunity to prove his innocence does nothing to diminish Andy’s will and hope for the future. The end brings a surprise, the morbid darkness surrounding the entire story is released to the joys of human triumph, the triumph of the human spirit, the triumph of one man’s strength of mind, the triumph of ‘Hope’.The very essence and spirit of the novel is transferred to the celluloid. There is no loss in its maturity, hardness or complexity through the transmission. The picturesque Shawshank state prison hiding behind walls of bleakness and macabre, the ways and realities of the prison life which has a life of its own, a life totally alien and unimaginable to the outside world, the loneliness, the brutality, the journey of the young banker who goes through the better part of his life in this world, his sufferings, his immovable hope and his dreams - every detail touches you in a deep and profound way. The picture stays true to the novel in its style of narration with ‘Red’ Redding (Morgan Freeman), a veteran convict who befriends Andy, narrating the story in a look back mode. He is a kind of father figure to his group and can procure anything for a price. He has gained his wisdom inside the prison and is full of great and meaningful liners throughout the movie. He is witness to the entire story and is now recounting it, right from the day Andy walks in, eyes full of shock and bewilderment, his struggles, his adventures, his happy and sad moments and Andy’s surprises, down to the end – Andy’s biggest surprise. Red is as much a part of the movie as is Andy.The more than two hour movie does not seem long at all, thanks chiefly to the superb pace of narration, the screenplay, the script and the direction take credit for the same as well. Dialogues are superb and the acting exceptional. Music by Frank Darabount compliments the plot superbly. The violins, the violas and the piano fill up your heart.Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne is a flawless choice, he brings forth the pain, joys, sorrows, frustration, intelligence and emotions of the character to life with such ease and finesse that it is hard to believe that the academy ignored his performance, he was not even nominated. Morgan Freeman as Ellis Boyd Redding brings in a respect and wisdom, the character demands and fits in beautifully as the narrator with a rich, intelligent voice. Bob Gunton as Warden Norton plays to perfection the role leaving a forceful impact on the minds of the viewers, his cold acts of sadism, his pseudo religious outlook, his greed and his corruptness register so well that you cannot but hate the man and the actor has to be credited for this. Clancy Brown as ‘Captain’ Byron Hadley, James Whitmore as Brooks Hatlen and the other supporting actors play their parts to perfection. Nominated for 7 Oscars (including best actor) and managed to win none, well, it gets my vote for most of the awards, so, academy who??The greatness of a movie can be measured by the kind of impact it has on the minds of its viewers, whether the movie makes you think? Whether it makes you imagine and dream? Whether u cry or laugh without any reservations? Whether the movie remains in your mind forever? Has it affected you? This movie has done all this and more to me. A great movie without doubt.P.S - I'd love to hear your thoughts about the movie and the review, please do comment.