Keeping in Spirit with my plays page, I'll give a little review of the movie this time. Here's what a pro says:
Director/writer Frank Darabont's "Shawshank Redemption" is
a long, involving, epic tale of prison and the human spirit.
The basic story involves a banker whose wife is killed. When
he is wrongly convicted, and sent to prison, he fights to hang
onto his dignity behind bars.
The cast includes Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob
Gunton, William Sadler, Clancy Brown, Gil Bellows, James
Whitmore, Mark Rolston, Jeffrey DeMunn, Paul McCrane.
Tim Robbins is superb as the young banker. As the years go
by, we see him grow in strength and maturity. With a minimum
of makeup, we watch Robbins grow from a callow young man
to a solidly mature older one.
As much as any film I've ever seen, "The Shawshank
Redemption" gives a realistic look at the monotony and
brutality of prison life. Sometimes shocking, at other times
heartwarming, "Redemption" offers a film experience that's sure
to stick with you long after the film is over.
As a long time con serving a life sentence, Morgan Freeman
offers superb support. While narration is frequently used in
movies to stick together a confusing plot, here, as voiced by
Freeman, it offers a commentary and perspective that nicely
compliment the on screen action.
My favorite scene involves a secret concerning a poster of
Raquel Welch. Without giving away to much, there's more to
Raquel than meets the eye.
I love this movie. I can't quite explain it. Mabey it's because I love Stephen King movies/book, even without knowing that it was a Stephen King movie. It's a tough movie to watch, in some aspects, but at the same time, it's a touching and soft movie. I love the way it builds you up to think something, and delivers something you really don't expect. I can't tell you what you don't expect, I'll let you figure that one out on your own. But seriously, see the movie. It's the best. Or one of them, at least.