Film Review - Shawshank Redemption

  Many films are remakes of original novels. Among those, there are many whose original books receive better reputation than films themselves. The film, Shawshank Redemption, however, was not the case. The film was faithful to the original work mostly but the message was clearer. The hope which I introduced previously in my book review was more lucidly shown through Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman in the film. Also, I realized that the narrative of Red, instead of that of Andy, was surely more effective in conveying the message. 

  The depiction of scenery inside the prison was the part I liked the most. Although the book could offer readers chances of imagination, films provided vivid picture and heartfelt impression. Red's narrative "he never made a sound" taking place during Andy's first night in the prison describes Andy's determination well. Although Andy seemed to be calm, facing such a dire situation, he was maybe the one who yearned for freedom the most. While his fellow prisoners were being "institutionalized" in the prison, Andy consistently dreamt of the world outside the thick, gray wall of Shawshank. He might have thought a happy life in a small town Zihuatanejo, near the Pacific Ocean, every night and day. The inner brightness of Andy Dufresne was what had him win through the hardships in Shawshank.

  Once, Andy turns on an Italian song all over the prison, driving Norton and other guards crazy. I thought that the influence of Andy's hope, a small hope, to the entire prisoners is well described in this part. Hearing the music, Red narrates, "those voices soared higher and farther than anybody in a gray place dares to dream. It was like some beautiful bird flapped into our drab little cage and made those walls dissolve away, and for the briefest of moments, every last man in Shawshank felt free." Andy may have wanted to share his dream of free world outside the prison with others. 

  Andy's "mighty" hope reaches its peak towards the ending of the film. Red, finally released on parole, reads the letter Andy intended for him to read, and meets Andy at Mexico. It is true that he had been in the prison for such a long time and is surely institutionalized. What gave him the hope? Tracking Andy's hope inside the movie was a great part of my joy. Dufresne's small hope ended up not only in a huge, long tunnel but also in the brightness inside prisoners' hearts.