"The Shawshank Redemption" : 6/02/02 - 6/08/02

[Morticia]

This is a thread to discuss the technical and/or thematic merits of "The Shawshank Redemption."

The purpose being to foster intelligent discussion of films without resorting to "It's a piece of crap." or "It's the greatest film ever." (And so that we all can gain a bit of a film education from everyone.)

We'll discuss a new film each week. Either slade or I will post the film in this forum in advance, and lock the topic until the first day of discussion.

Thanks everyone. We are excited and we hope this works (we're open to any ideas of how to make it better).

****SPOILER WARNING**** of course this entire thread is going to be full of spoilers.

[Morticia]

^discuss!^

[DimWit]

Discuss, discuss, discuss. Is that enough discussing?

Actually, S/R is probably the best adaption of a King work that there is. The only other really fine one is Stand by Me. Strangely, neither are horror based.

King has always had the knack of writing good characters and this movie really plays up that knack. Of course, having a cast like that doesn't hurt at all.

Tim Robbin's Andy is good, but Freeman's character (I'm drawing a blank on his name ) is just brilliant. I just love the scene where he asks to go to the can just after he gets out and it clearly shows just how institutionalized he's become. No long speeches or expositions. Freeman can say a ton with just a shrug of the shoulders.

[mighty mint]

I totally agree about the body language done by MF but what I loved the most was the commentary and verbal interaction between the characters. Both of those parts were so well written that you couldn't help but be drawn in and the interaction wasn't forced or un-natural. Amazing movie!

[Agalloch]

There's so much I love about this movie it would take me forever to write it all out. So I'll just write an experience that I have with this movie that is almost entirely unique to it. It is a film that I can watch over and over and over and never get tired of it and my eyes are always glued to the screen when it is on. Even when the movie is shown on TNT, which it is almost constantly, if I happen to flip by it, I just have to stop and just have to watch it, and I always do, everytime it is on. There are VERY few films that have this affect on me, even to the point where I can watch it fullscreen on TV and not be turned off by it. Even with the DVD in the other room I just can't take my eyes off it. That is how this movie affects me and is, what I consider, to be a testament to its greatness.

Agalloch

[fischerj]

My gosh, what's not to love about this movie? The cast was great! I'm not sure if that's what life was like in a Maine prison but I sure believed it. You have a likeable and identifiable hero who is acting the way you would like to if you had been falsely accused. Narrating the story is "Red", Morgan Freeman, so he can nicely tie the various scenes together. And all through the film is the theme of hope prevailing over desparation. I watch this on TV even when it's on with commercials!

Can you tell I enjoyed the film "or am I being obtuse"?

[Triple HHH]

I felt compelled to add a word or two, considering how much I love this movie too. A lot of Shawshank is very well-done. I'd gladly put it in my list of top films of the 1990s.

The Oscar-nominated cinematography is very good. Roger Deakins's can even make a lonely tree out of the middle of nowhere look good. It reminds me of Kubrick a little -- his tendency for balanced, symmetrical shots that slowly track forward or backwards.

I also loved the surprise of the film (the discovery of Andy's tunnel) -- good storywriting there. I can't remember a more satisfying surprise like that since Sixth Sense or The Empire Strikes Back. What an indelible image too -- the stupified look on the warden's face as the camera is swallowed by the tunnel -- revealing the years and years of monumental patience, skill, and determination of Andy Dufraine.

And I'll admit right here the ending got me -- I was welling up in tears. Not because it was a sad ending, but because it seemed like the perfect ending. Seeing Red and Andy united again, free in that clear open beach, was a great moment. I think Frank Durabont did a marvelous job of creating a convincing friendship through the majority of the film. If their friendsip didn't fly with the audience, neither would the ending.

And the Oscar-nominated Thomas Newman score is another great asset to this film. When Andy was escaping through the sewage tunnel, the music complements the images very well, and when Andy is finally free and stretches out his arms in unbounded ecstasy, Newman goes for the orchestral flourish at this point, giving a wonderful feeling of catharsis as if a giant weight has finally been lifted off of Andy's shoulders.

I this movie.

/4

[BsK]

This is likely my favorite film of all time. The storytelling is top notch...unquestionably King's best adaptation to date...and I wouldn't think it will be topped anytime real soon.
The seemingly slow pace, yet continously moving forward story is one of its greatest assets. When one can be so enveloped in the story alone....that is the testament of a great film. Aided by feeling performances and a scene I can't help but receive chills on every time I witness it(that last scene on the beach)...this is one to behold. There is something about the lack of emphasis on the characters' respective race that is incredibly honest and not self serving, that I can really relate to and appreciate. The focus is on their friendship and the bond that they have formed through their respective pursuits. I love this film and wouldn't it be great to see a Special Edition on DVD!!!

[fuser]

I think one of the most important characters/story elements here is Brooks, the side story of this old man really showed how hard the time in prison can get to your life.

Just imagine that without this character other things would have lost its impact, for example prior to Andy's escape everybody (including me) though he was going to commit suicide b/c of the way he was acting lately, how he seemed so tired and out of hope for the loss of Tommy and he asked for the rope. This was just great.

I can't think of a better example on how support cast really SUPPORT the story and give strenght to the main characters.

BTW, for those who have read the story on the novel... what are the differences between the movie and the book?

[rolisme]

Originally posted by fuser
BTW, for those who have read the story on the novel... what are the differences between the movie and the book?

In the book Red was a white guy named Red due to his red hair.

In the book you were unaware of the fact that the wall was so easily chipped away and had no clue that Andy was in the process of doing that. This inclusion so early in the movie is probably there for the general movie goer, who for some reason delights themselves in "figuring out" (in quotes due to fact that figuring out these things is no big deal in movies as they make things so easy to figure out to begin with) the end before it happens.

The book ended with the narrative which was at the end of the movie, but did not tell Andy meeting up with his friend. This my biggest problem with the movie. The book did not have a "happy Hollywood" ending, but left you to ponder the possibilities. Maybe King wrote it so when it was done, it was sort of like doing prison time, all you have is hope and endless possiblities, but nothing ever comes of it... I thought this (probably less than 30 seconds) ruined the whole movie for me. I am glad I read the story before seeing this movie.

Ummm thats about all I can think of at this time.