Rita Hayworth And The Shawshank Redemption

If I were to tell you to watch a film about men in prison, what would you think? Most people would think it would another ordinary Hollywood flick. Many films are about falling in love, as well as flicks that have a sidekick to the hero, but Shawshank looks at the loving friendship between two best friends. The film The Shawshank Redemption based on the novella “Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption” succeeds in avoiding the familiar, while redeeming Hollywood in the eyes of people who feared it to be in a dark ocean full of predictability and clichés. With great music, visuals, script and acting, the director of this film Frank Darabont has proved himself the master of the craft.

The Shawshank Redemption is a story of a man named Andy

Dufresne (Tim Robbins) who is wrongly convicted of murder and is sentenced to two consecutive life terms in Maine's Shawshank prison for the murders of his wife and her lover. Set in the 1940’s, the film shows how Andy experiences the brutality of prison life. While there, he earns and forms the respect of his fellow inmates and notably starts a friendship with long-time convict “Red” Redding (Morgan Freeman).

Firstly, the prison.

The incredible piece of architecture is gothic and strong in design, blocking out all the memories of the outside world. Through the use of clever camera work, the establishing camera shots of the prison are such an eye-opener. The best example comes when Andy enters Shawshank for the first time, a vivid point of view shot is shown as Andy enters the prison. The camera looks directly upwards at the towering prison, zooming in as Andy sees a patch of blue sky. It makes you feel connected with Andy, as if you’re right there with

him.

Darabont preserves the moving and poetic dialogue of King’s novella, but as well as doing so, he also demonstrates that a film can engender a great emotional response in the audience, as dialogue does. Darabont shows a wide recognition for the film’s needs by employing Thomas Newman who is the son of a legendary Hollywood composer, Alfred Newman. Newman makes the mellow piano chords that softly whisper to the audience, as if it was scripted dialogue. Never once did Newman’s composition drag away your concentration of the film and it certainly does not distract you from what’s happening in the scene.
You can’t forget about the marvellous acting from the actors, there were phenomenal performances by the actors of the film, especially by Robbins and Freeman.

Robbins plays the intense role of Andy, who is sort of like a father figure in Shawshank. Andy is a solemn and introverted character, However, Robbins plays it strongly. Whereas, Freeman plays Red. He is described as a red-headed Irishman by King, although, it really doesn’t matter that in the film he isn’t, as Freeman did an impressive performance. It was very moving and it’s a reason to wish Red had more of a range to his role. As well as the acting, the soft and soothing voice-overs of Red throughout the film, breathes life into every scene. If you ever want a lucrative voice-over career, ask Morgan Freeman to teach you! The actors of the film deliver a performance that's unmatched by most modern films, it bangs up the right notes with an inspiring message of freedom and hope - these themes hit with the human spirit, delivering memorable lines such as; “get busy living, or get busy dying” and “Hope is a good thing. Maybe the best of things and good things never die.” This heart touching film is the perfect celebration of the human

spirit.

Overall, this film leaves you with a sense of conquering satisfaction, it is a triumph. Making you feel all kinds of emotions. It's one of those journeys of the human spirit that just makes you feel happy and joyful to be alive. This film, without a doubt is well worth seeing!