The Shawshank Redemption (1994) * * * *

Directed by:  Frank Darabont

Starring:  Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, Clancy Brown, William Sadler, James Whitmore

"Hope is a dangerous thing.   Hope can drive a man insane.   It has no use on the inside.   You had better get used to that idea."   

These are words of wisdom of Shawshank prison lifer Red (Freeman) to Andy Dufresne (Robbins), who despite serving a life sentence himself is holding onto hope.   What is he hoping for?    He never explains, but by the end he doesn't need to.    We understand completely.

The Shawshank Redemption was not a box-office success, mostly because it is difficult to market a drama about a friendship between two prison lifers.     It was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Morgan Freeman, winning zero.    The film has become a staple on cable and it remains a treasure.    It stretches twenty years in a prison population but never drags.    It is patient with its pacing.    When the now well-known payoff finally arrives, it blindsides us in an inspiring way.  

As Shawshank opens, Andy is a successful banker who coldly observes his wife and another man in a romantic rendezvous.    He is armed with a gun and a bottle of booze, sitting alone in a car.    The next thing we know, the two are dead and Andy is convicted of their murders.    His aloof, cold demeanor certainly makes him appear guilty.    He doesn't inspire much sympathy.   

The film is narrated by Red, who is serving a long stretch for an unspecified crime, although I would assume it's not petty theft.    He is observant, mostly because twenty years in Shawshank prison allows him nothing but time to be observant.    He thinks the quiet Andy will be the first new prisoner to break down and cry on his first night.    He even bets the other inmates, who take wages on other newcomers.    Red loses his money.    He will learn over the years that he is wrong a lot about Andy.

Because of Andy's knowledge of accounting and banking, he ingratiates himself slowly with the guards and then the warden (Gunton).    The warden carries the Bible in his hands and preaches the good word, but uses the prison as a money-laundering operation.    Andy cooks the books and mostly keeps his head down.    He sees all, but keeps mostly to himself and plays close to the vest.    Red is more verbal and direct.    The two men play off each other well.

Freeman and Robbins play two distinct people who are thrown together within the prison walls.    They become friends, but Andy only allows people in so much.    Andy prefers to show his affection in other ways, like bargaining to obtain beers and a 15 minute break for fellow prisoners tarring a roof on a hot day.    Andy's influence allows for a prison library to be built and further improvements acted upon.    He maintains a satisfied half-smile.   

If you have not had the pleasure of seeing The Shawshank Redemption in the twenty plus years it has been out, then I won't be a creep and ruin your experience with spoilers.    Part of the joy of watching this film, and other great films, is seeing it unfold before your eyes.     A different joy is seeing it again and feeling like it is unfolding again with the same impact.    After watching them grow and mature in the worst of circumstances, we feel joy that Red and Andy finally learn to live life on their terms and not the prison's.