The Shawshank Redemption

Adriana Noland!

UNST

1-10-10

The Shawshank Redemption was directed by Frank Darabont and produced by Niki Marvin. Darabont also directed the Green Mile. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman starred as two inmates serving life in prison. Andy, played by Robbins, was accused of murdering he wife and her lover when he found out she was cheating on him. All the evidence seemed to point at him but he continued to plead innocent. When he was sent to prison, he meets Red, played by Morgan Freeman, the man who can get anything. At first Red doesn't think much of him, but soon they become very close friends. Throughout the slow routine of prison life, Andy established relationships with the guys and even the the guards. He begins helping the guards and the warden with their taxes and book keepings. Because he is so good at what he does, he's aloud to expand the library and begin teaching the inmates so they can receive their high school diplomas. Along the way he meets this young guy who knows who really killed his wife and her lover, but when the warden finds this out, he kills the guy so Andy has no chance of getting another trial! After about 19 years of being locked up Andy finally breaks free and literally goes through crap to get out! All his work for the warden payed off in the end because he ended up running off with all the money and a totally new identity. Finally Red is also approved to leave Shawshank, but life on the outside is not were he belongs. He finds something of Andy's and goes off to be with his friend on the coast of the Pacific.

This movie has a lot of moments that really caught my breath. But specifically i will only name three. The first time was when Andy was in the shower and the "sisters" asked if he needed a "friend," CREEPY! The second time was when Brooks, the old man who looks like the man from UP, hung himself after he was let go from prison. And the third moment was when The warden had the young guy, who knew the truth about Andy, shot and murdered by a guard.

The purpose of this film was to show that hope is not a dead thing. Andy had hope, and he knew he wasn't meant to be in there, and finally his hope set him free. I think most people who see this movie will agree that it is inspirational and true.

For me, I saw God mainly as the hope that drove Andy to break free. When we trust in Him and truly believe in what out God is capable of, not even Shawshank prison can keep us separated from that truth. The verse that came to mind when i was watching this movie was Romans 8:31, 37-39. If i were Andy, i saw God as the hope that drove him to keep pressing on, the hope that made him never forget the prize at the end of the tunnel of crap!

In conclusion, this film was not the kind i quickly jump up and say how great it was! I really had to think about this film, and think about how it affected and inspired me. For the most part this film made me sad, because it reminds me of my brother. Just seeing a "Hollywood" version of the reality my brother has been living with for over 20 years broke my heart. I think this movie would also cause people to think twice before they act. But all in all, this film was outstanding, and i would recommend it to anyone, above the age of 17 of course!