The Shawshank Redemption

What can one say about The Shawshank Redemption that hasn't already been said before? This is easily one of the most entertaining ones I have ever seen. This film introduces the viewer to many characters and follows the life of the prisoners of the decade, all to end on one of the best cinematic payoffs of all time.

The Shawshank Redemption starts with the main character, Andy, getting convicted for murdering his wife. Whether he actually did do so is kept secret from the viewer, but the narrative is presented in a way that one believes him (that he didn't kill his wife).

There is one very effective shot when he enters the prison: while he walks into the building, there is a subjective shot of him looking up, which shows the tall walls of the prison. This shot is engaging and heartbreaking at the same time as it reminds the audience that he will stay in this prison for presumably most of his life, if not for the rest of his life.

Now the film, though slightly dragging at times, shows the lives of the different inmates, while focusing on Andy and his new friend Red, a person who seems to be pretty popular among the inmates. He is said to be pretty good at smuggling goods into the prison for others at the price of cigarettes, the "currency" of the inmates. Red seems to be the head of this economic system of cigarettes, an interesting characteristic as he is never seen smoking a single cigarette in the film. Red's character also is interesting because he is also the narrator of The Shawshank Redemption, so, therefore, could also be considered the main character.

Andy, after making several smart moves, becomes somewhat popular among the prison guards and even can help the boss of the prison himself on certain financial matters. But is the boss really just misusing him? Different moral questions are constantly in the viewer's mind, including whether the boss of the prison actually likes Andy or just uses him and hates him.

The story is beautifully told, not too much on many artistic camera angles or lighting etc, but rather just using universally understood visual language for maximum effect.

The Shawshank Redemption presently ranks as the best film ever made according to IMDb users, I don't agree with that ranking. It's a great film, but not the best one ever made. Nevertheless, I can highly recommend The Shawshank Redemption and would most certainly classify it as a must-watch.