UNST 101
Pastor Sam
1/10/10
Review
I knew that this particular film would be a good one before even seeing it. Written by Stephen King and Frank Darabont, also directed by Darabont, nominated for seven Oscar Awards, winning eleven awards, and being nominated for thirteen others, i knew this film would be good. Morgan freeman, one of the most infamous actors of our time, is in this movie and before watching it, just knowing he was in the cast made the movie that much more impressive to me.
Although, seeing is believing. This movie is riveting, thrilling, full of passion, courage, conviction, hate, friendship, cruelty, and etc. The way Darabont directed this film was brilliant. Nothing was sugar-coated or left unsaid. I do not and most likely will not ever know what prison is like. I imagine it would hell on Earth, which is what Darabont seemed to have captured. Shawshank prison was the epitome of disgusting cruelty. During the movie I almost disregarded the fact that these men where criminals and should be punished for what they've done. Instead I found myself feeling sort for some of them. Some scenes left me feeling sick to my stomach and even though some ideas were not shown but implied, it was difficult to even imagine some of the hellish things that were done in the walls of that prison.
Andy, Tim Robbins, and Red, Morgan Freemen, are the key characters in this film. They both represent something different in this film. Andy never seemed to give up while Red had given up in a sense. He no longer cared if he got out of prison because of the fear of living in fear in the "real world," the "outside," ironically speaking. The excessive punishment and, at times, unnecessary cruelty was more than evident through the actions of the guards and warden. I found it comical how the guards and warden suddenly took some kind of liking to Andy because of his intelligence and experience in financing and banking. Although it was illegal for Andy to be giving financial advice and doing the taxes for these government guards, it was done anyways; making almost everyone in this film some sort of crook.
A part that really stood out to me and was a "tear-jerk" moment was when the old librarian of Shawshank was set free. The concept of being free might sound wonderful for a prisoner. But in this film it gives the impression of the exact opposite. This old man had been in prison so long that he didn't know how to function in the real world, he became depressed, fearful, and ended up killing himself. At that point I really wished he had just stayed at Shawshank.
The title "Shawshank Redemption," plays a very vital role in the meaning/message of the whole film. The word redemption is the act of being redeemed, or saved from a sin. Obviously Andy was being saved from Shawshank through his perseverance and strength. The word hope is also important in this movie. The tag line of this movie is, "Fear can keep you prisoner. Hope can set you free." Hope was the only thing keeping Andy alive and what ultimately saved his life. Fear is what killed the old man and what could have possibly killed Red if Andy hadn't given Red some hope too.
Jesus is our redemption. We are redeemed by His blood. We don't need to live in fear because God is always watching over us, He cares about His people more than anyone could ever imagine. Although we have all sinned, our sins have already been forgiven.
Nicholas Villegas
ReplyDeleteShawshank Redemption
922336
UNST
10 January 2010
Shawshank Redemption
Shawshank Redemption is a story of how one man is sentenced to serve life in jail and while in there encounters hardships, friendship, and a life purpose. The movie was written by Stephen King(famous writer of works such as “Carrie” and “The Shining”) and Frank Darabont, whom it was also directed by. It was released by columbia pictures on september 23, 1994. Despite the low income it received at the box office it still was credited with great reviews and went up for seven oscar nominations.
This movie does not have too much of an attraction factor to it. If I were to walk into a movie store and see this on the shelves I don’t think I’d even give it a chance at being picked up to read the back, I would probably skip over it to see the latest action film. I did notice that once I started watching it though that I was drawn in by its wonderfully written and planned out storyline. The plot of this story is utterly flawless and it is no wonder it was so highly praised by critics. Shawshank Redemption is not a movie for the little ones due to its shower nudity, brutal prison beatings, and profanities occurring often. A mature pre teen is probably suitable to see this movie. Once you’re suitable to see this movie you’re pretty much going to be able to decipher what the point of the movie is and what its trying to say to its viewers. There is no alternative message other than hope. The word hope is so critical in this story because it is what drives Andy to escape from prison and while doing so inspiring his friend Red to believe there is something more to life than the walls he was so long confined in. Hope is the main theme and value portrayed in this movie. One of the guys gets out of jail and is so not used to everyday life that he ends up hanging himself. The people back in the jail hear about it and just get down about the fact that they will be alienated when they get out of jail. Andy changes all of that by escaping and giving hope of being successful in the real world.
Due to the word redemption being within the title of the movie we know someone in that jail is going to be set free or escape. To our utmost surprise Andy does get himself out and is “redeemed”, but the person I’m most concerned with is Red. I believe Red was the one being truly redeemed in this movie. At first Red was the man with no hope and just about to give up on everything, even getting out of the jail. By the end of the movie he was out of jail and had a newfound hope, a purpose for his life. He was truly redeemed.
Jesus payed the price for all our sins and in essence set us free. We must accept His gift to us much like Red had to accept that his new life on the outside of the jail was where he belonged, and not restricted behind walls.