The Power of Hope The Shawshank Redemption is a phenomenal film directed by Frank Darabont. This drama was released on September 23rd, 1994. There are two main characters throughout the film. Tim Robbins plays the role of Andrew Dufrasne, also known as “Andy”. Morgan Freeman plays the role of Ellis Boyd Redding, also known as “Red”. The plot, theme, tone, setting, and characters of The Shawshank Redemption allow the viewer to enjoy the movie. Personally, I believe this movie is superior and all movie lovers must take the time to see it. The plot of this movie is overall interesting and builds suspense. Andrew Dufrasne is convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his wife and her lover. Andy is completely isolated in the …show more content…
The main setting of the movie is in Shawshank Prison, which helps to create a tone of gloom. The colors that appear in the prison such as greys and dim blues are dull and lifeless, creating a feeling of depression. As Roger says, “The director, Frank Darabont, paints the prison in drab grays and shadows, so that when key events do occur, they seem to have a life of their own.” (Ebert, “The Shawshank Redemption”). With this being said, unlike inside of the jail the colors that appear outside are less gloomy and consist of variations of vivid greens and blues. For instance, when Red arrives in a city named Buxton, he finds the letter that Andy left him. In this scene, the whole atmosphere of the movie is like no other. The colors are miraculously bright, allowing the viewer to feel an expression of freedom and …show more content…
Andy presents this characteristic throughout the entire film. As said in an article I read, “Andy turns out to be a surprise to everyone in Shawshank, because within him is such a powerful reservoir of determination and strength that nothing seems to break him.” (Ebert, “The Shawshank Remeption”). Andy being a determined character becomes completely apparent when the viewer realizes Andy has escaped from the prison. Not only did Andy have the patience to commit this crime, he carefully planned every step it took to fulfill his desire of escaping. Andy dug through his cell wall every night for a countless number of years. Then one night, Andy crawled through the hole, crawled through 500 yards of sewage, and began his life of redemption. If that is not determination, then I don’t know what is. As a final point, I would like to think of The Shawshank Redemption as a remarkable, uplifting film. This movie would earn a five star rating from me. As I said before, I would recommend this movie to anyone who may ask me about it. The Shawshank Redemption is deeper than others and particularly centered on hope, friendship, and determination. This film is still valuable today because it has been around for years and will continue to be an inspiration to its viewers for years to
The Shawshank Redemption is an inspiring story about Andy Dufreine and his efforts to maintain hope in horrible situations. The directors used many effective methods that displayed signs of hope in such a horrible place. Andy maintained hope by distracting his mind and always staying occupied. Andy was also inspired to survive by helping others find hope in life.
In 1947, Andy Dufresne, a banker in Maine, is sentenced for killing his wife and her lover. He is given two lifelong incarcerations and sent to the famously brutal Shawshank Prison. Andy always claimed that he was innocent, but his personality led a lot of people to doubt him.
Stephen King published his novella “Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption in 1982. In 1994 this novella was turned into a movie called The Shawshank Redemption. Frank Darabont wrote the screenplay. A good adaptation will capture the same overall essence of the written book or novella. Darabont did a wonderful job of adapting this novella into a movie. He captured the overall essence in a way that makes a heart rejoice in happiness and relief. The adaptation of The Shawshank Redemption is very well done.
The Shawshank Redemption is a 1997 drama film which takes place in a prison during the late 40’s. The film focuses on Andy Dufresne’s transition from his old life as banker to becoming a prisoner in the Shawshank penitentiary. The life shown in the Shawshank penitentiary is similar to that of normal society such as norms, economic transactions, and functions both prisoners and the officials. The roles the prisoners and officials take shows that Functionalism does not only take place in a normal functioning society, it also takes place in a total institution such as the prison shown in the film.
One’s ambition, when fueled by hope, can cause them to keep going when put in an adverse situation. When this occurs, it leaves a lasting effect on the individuals around them. In the film Shawshank Redemption by Frank Darabont, the main character Andy Dufrense experiences many hardships but perseveres through them using hope. Andy is placed in a situation that is out of his control and loses any hope he has at the beginning. Through the situations he faces, such as his encounters with the sisters, gaining funds for the library, and succeeding in his escape plan from the prison, Andy regains that hope which motivates his ambition to be free. In the film Shawshank Redemption, Darabont explores the idea that an individual’s ambition for freedom,
This defiance is what makes his character so likable. Red is a good man that did a terrible thing. He gives gifts to Andy and is a good friend to him when he needs him. He is very smart, not ever getting caught while smuggling everything in. He is a likable man because of his sincerity. At the start of the film he can even be considered the archetype of the wise old man. The wise old man of a film “possesses knowledge and often serves as a mentor to the hero” (Seger 392). He becomes Andy’s mentor and takes him under his wing, shows him the ways to do things and teaches him how to survive behind bars. He gets him what he needs from the outside world, like the hammer and the posters, and he gives him valuable advice. The stereotype of the African American is not seen as a respectable man, nor as an individual who bears intelligence and charm, as Red does. Andy Dufresne helps Red grow as a person and to defy the stereotype that he was born by the color of his skin. This sort of African American image can be seen in other movies as
It is also all part of the economic and social scene of the correctional facility (jail) system, where it forms a great part of the management of the jail. It helps to keep the harsh rules the warden and guards apply to the inmates in place. Systemic corruption is not a special type of corrupt practice, but rather a situation in which this jail and process of rehabilitation of the prisoners is routinely dominated and used by the corrupt warden and the guards. The prisoners have no alternatives to dealing with the corrupt jail staff. Letters are censored of not delivered, visits are controlled and when a prisoner is a threat, the warden and guards get rid of them. Tommy Williams who could have given the warden information to prove that Andy Dufresne was actually innocent, was removed by the Warden when he had Captain Hadley shoot him while he tried to escape. This was a false claim but no-one could prove it. In the end the warden is caught out when Andy gives all the evidence he collected during the years in jail against the Warden to a newspaper for publication. The warden takes his own life and in a sense it is retribution for all the terrible things he did against the prisoners and the
Hope is a huge recurring theme in both of these movies, most of which happened in a similar manner. Andy Dufresne, during his 28 years at Shawshank prison,
Sicario is a 2015 film starring Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro. The movie is directed by Denis Villeneuve and is a realistic take on the war against drugs on the border of US and Mexico. In many aspects this is a perfect movie: editing, acting, movement, photography and sound. Though the story is nothing to write home about, the subject matter remains serious enough to write to Obama about. As crucial as it is to win the war on drugs the movie does a great job at showing the dark underbelly of the US secret operations. Not everything is done by the books and the events that do make it onto the news may be a glossy fabrication of propaganda. The story does not have major plot twists or jaw dropping story elements and that is what makes it grounded. The plot understands what it is and makes room for the real hooks of the movie.
This movie was inspiring and encouraging to anyone who is struggling with something. Overcoming his controversies in life became the main point of the movie. Knowing that this movie was based upon a true story inspires the people even more.
For this assignment, I decided to do my film review on To Kill a Mockingbird (Mulligan, R., & Pakula, A. (Directors). (1962). To Kill a Mockingbird[Motion picture on VHS]. United States of America.) I have a personal connection to this film because it is one of my most beloved novels by Harper Lee. I have never watched the film so it was a nice experience to see the characters I have loved for years come to life just before my eyes. The film particularly focuses on a white family living in the South of the United States in the 1930s. The two siblings, Jem and Scout Finch, undergo major changes while experiencing evil and injustice in their small town of Maycomb. Jem and Scout’s father is named Atticus and he is a well-respected man in the town as well as being a lawyer.
From the start of the film it is apparent what time frame it is taking place in and the differences in the social stratification through the lack of colors. One of the most obvious portrayals of the bleakness and desperation of the era is the overall faded and washed-out look of the whole film, due to manipulation of the film saturation; the heaviness of it almost cries out to the audience. Though the film was shot during the summer, cinematographer Roger Deakins and Cinesite colorist Julias Friede were able to use digital technology to change the appearance of the colors. “Together, they worked on manipulating the [digital] saturation of the images, and in particular selecting the greens of the trees and grass and turning them into dry browns and yellows” (Escaping, 2). These dry brown and yellows enhance the audience’s impression of the desperation of the characters and the time period.
In both the film and the short story, which involves freedom is when Andy Dufresne approaches the narrator, Red. Andy asks Red, "I wonder if you could get me a rock-hammer."(28) Andy's reason for wanting a rock-hammer is because he was "a rockhound. At least... I was a rockhound. In my old life."(29) Andy states that he would like to be a rockhound again on a limited basis because it gives him the feeling of freedom. This example serves the purposes of both the story's writer and the filmmaker. The act of Andy Dufresne being able to go on "Sunday expeditions"(29) at Shawshank shows the reader and/or viewer that it will make him feel free, like when he collected ...
The movie is a very moving, sensitive and emotional story of redemption. The tale of how a young heartless thug can change into a softhearted guardian. This demonstrates that despite the poor living conditions, awful events and how heartless someone may seem. You can adapt to your surroundings and situations, you can also transform your life. Everyone has good in them you just choose whether to value it and utilize it or not appreciate it and discard it.
addresses the process of adaptation used when converting a literary hypotext to the film medium; The Shawshank Redemption (Darabont, Frank) is the film adaptation of Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption (King, Stephen). The story follows characters Red and Andy who serve life sentences in Shawshank Prison. Over many years a strong bond develops, and Andy, wrongly convicted, inspires many at the prison. After Andy escapes, Red decides to follow him upon being granted parole. The story privileges themes of hope, freedom, institutionalisation, friendship, time, and brutality. The film is similar to the novella, however, some aspects differ from the hypotext. Within the novella, Brooks is a minor character, Tommy Williams doesn’t die, and Warden Norton merely retires. Through altering the story, the film modifies the essence of Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption for film audiences and utilises film language to convey meaning. By adding certain scenes, the text takes on stronger themes of hope, institutionalisation and brutality. This draws attention to the themes within the hypotext and thus enhances the parallels between texts.