by Lawrence Hsiao ~Fear can hold you prisoner, hope can set you free~ In 1947, banker Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) was convicted of murdering his wife and her lover, even though he stubbornly proclaimed his innocence. Andy is later sentenced to two consecutive life sentences at Shawshank Penitentiary. Life is monotonous and hopeless in jail and the inmates are totally isolated from the outside world. Andy, however, befriends a prisoner called Red (Morgan Freeman), a contraband smuggler who is also serving a life sentence. Andy asked Red to get him a six-inch pickax, claiming that polishing stones was his hobby. With his excellent financial background and accounting expertise, Andy then became a “counselor” providing professional services for the guards, and later even for the warden. In the beginning, Andy dealt only with common tasks such as taxes and financial management. However, he is soon requested to do money-laundering for the warden. As time goes by, Andy gradually realizes the corruption and inequality hidden in Shawshank Prison. Andy makes up his mind to escape after an inmate who could prove his innocence was ordered shot to death by the warden. Andy tells Red about his dream of living in Zihuatanejo, a Mexican Pacific coastal town. Red just shrugs it off as an unrealistic joke. However, the next morning the guards find that Andy’s cell is empty and they discover a secret tunnel behind the wall of his cell…. The Shawshank Redemption was first released in October, 1994. It earned a mere 3 million US dollars and didn’t catch much attention at the time. However, in spite of this unimpressive performance at the box office, The Shawshank Redemption is considered one of the greatest movies in film history. Unlike normal prison films, it not only enables us to look into the prison, but it also depicts deeper sides of humanity.
In Shawshank, most inmates are “institutionalized in such a gray place that they dream of the future as an untouchable blessing, and their souls are chained and strangled by their hopeless minds. To them, everything in the world is made of stone. In contrast, Andy always believes there is something that can’t be taken away by prison. Andy is innocent. However, he chooses not to complain about his fate but patiently endures Shawshank for 20 years. Every single day he remains hopeful and uses his small rock hammer to dig into the wall. Andy firmly believes that one day he will be free. He dares to dream about something others dare not think about. Indeed, some birds aren’t meant to be caged, their feathers are just too bright. The most important reason why The Shawshank Redemption outshines other films is because of its elaborately designed story. This movie is actually adapted by American author Stephen King’s novella, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. Stephen King is best known for his horror novels and science fiction. Unlike his other pieces, this one is inspiring and thought provoking that contains positive meanings toward life. Through the seemingly miserable life of Andy Dufresne, we realize what personal traits a great man demonstrates during difficult periods of his life. Andy is never defeated by his misfortune or by Shawshank Prison. After going through all those vicissitudes of life, he finally receives his own redemption. The warden once said to Andy that salvation lies within the Bible. Of course the Bible doesn’t tell you how to dig a tunnel and creep 500 yards in sewage pipes to get free. It just teaches you to have hope. The Shawshank Redemption was nominated for 7 Academy Awards in 1994 but didn’t receive even one. It was competing with another great movie at the time, Forrest Gump, which won 6 Academy Awards including best director, best actor, and best film. Life may be like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get, but hope springs eternal. a
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May 2024
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