An understated cult classic, based on the Stephen King story, The Shawshank Redemption. (The Shawshank Redemption (DVD))

Member Name: Jcapulet

Product:	The Shawshank Redemption (DVD)
Date:	02/12/08 (42 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Everything

Disadvantages: Nothing

This is a bit of cult classic and with good reason, everything about it is understated and I'm sure on initial release it was probably underrated too. The acting is classy, the relationships are convincing and the whole script further flatters both the acting and relationships in the story wonderfully.
The film centres around the conviction of Andy Dufresne ( played by Tim Robbins ) of murder ( wrongly accused of murdering his wife and her lover ) and being sent to Shawshank prison, a prison that prides itself on offering its prisoners a form of extreme abusive redemption. Here we meet those who have already been here for a long time, one in particular being Red ( played Morgan Freeman ) a convicted murderer who consistently fails any probation interviews and who befriends Andy which results in a life-long friendship in and out of Shawshank. Andy struggles with being an innocent man in Shawshank but bides his time and puts on a jolly good show of being the almost perfect inmate ( except for a couple of occasions, one involving Marriage of Figaro and a tannoy ) but the ex-banker does himself favours and makes his life a little more bareable at Shawshank by doing what he does best for wardon Norton ( played by Bob Gunton ) and Captain Handley ( played by Clancy Brown. )
Throughout all the time that Andy is doing what he needs to do to gain favour for himself and his other inmates, a new inmate by the name of Tommy ( played by Gil Bellows ) proves Andy's innocence to those at Shawshank, but Tommy puts his own life on the line due to Warden Norton's fear of losing his personal accountant if Tommy's account of Andy's innocence was ever proved. This just makes Andy more determined to empower his own freedom and prior to his escape, he discusses with Red a plan for Red to carry out on his release, along with the name of a place where he wishes he could be, "Zihuatanejo". That night, the inmates fear that Andy is planning something more sinister and when he fails to be called for morning check out, they fear the worst. However, Andy is simply not there. It's soon revealed that Andy escaped from Shawshank ( not without sending evidence of the violent and corrupt wardon and prison officiers to a newspaper, which results in changes at Shawshank for those left behind ) and the inmates spend much time reminiscing old times with Andy. Red misses his friend deeply and during the next probation interview he speaks from his heart and is granted probation. Red finds is tough back in the real-world again but remembers the promise he made to Andy before Andy's escape. He carries out their 'plan' and finds a tin containing money, a letter and a question. "Do you remember where ? " ( words to that effect ) and Red crosses the border breaking his probation rules and goes to Andy on the shores of Mexico that has no memory.

A wonderful story told in such an understated way that it makes it a classic and should be owned by anyone who loves a well acted, well produced and well written film. If you like all action films then this isn't one for you, although you may be surprised by just an effect a classic film like this will have on you if you do take the time out to watch it.

Summary: Poetic justice in terms of story line told in a classy way.