56. The Shawshank Redemption

Frank Darabont, 1994

"I must admit I didn't think much of Andy first time I laid eyes on him; looked like a stiff breeze would blow him over. That was my first impression of the man."

Well, now, what to say? This really is a damn fine movie, isn't it? It's also one that I think all but three people in this world have seen. Still, as a quick reminder, The Shawshank Redemption focuses on Andy Dufresne, played by Tim Robbins. Andy has been sent to Shawshank Prison, the goofiest named prison in the county, for the murder of his wife, a crime he did not commit. There, he lives his life, generally trying to make things easier for himself and others and working on an elaborate escape plan. Of course, the film is really about so much more than that and that's why I like it so much. As I just illustrated, The Shawshank Redemption does possess a sort of linear narrative, but that really isn't how the story works. It is much more meandering, moving off the beaten path of the prison/escape film again and again to consider Andy, his world, and the characters who surround him. It really is the story of a man's life inside the walls of a prison. We see Andy move from newcomer, a fresh meat victim for the prison's "sisters," to an old, respected inmate, running the prison library and helping fellow inmates obtain their GEDs. We revel in the diversions of the main narrative, which provide some of the film's best scenes, like Andy doing the guards' taxes, locking himself in the warden's office to play records over the prison PA, or the delightfully simple, but no less revealing scene where Andy earns himself and his pals a couple of beers while they tar a prison roof.

The thing I always say about this movie is that it makes prison look fun, except of course for the male rape. And that's one of the best things about this movie: the sense of family and camaraderie that exists between Andy and his fellow inmates, particularly Morgan Freeman's Red. Red is an absolutely delightful character, wise beyond his years and the best friend Andy, and even the audience, could ask for, whether on the inside or not. His narration really pulls the movie together and offers continual compassion, humanity, and insight. Furthermore, I defy you not to get all choked up with the last scene and that particular bit of narration. Morgan Freeman is known for consistently excellent work and a handful of great performances in films like Driving Miss Daisey, Glory, Million Dollar Baby, and, of course, as The Electric Company's Easy Reader, but this may well be his best work. And if the narration alone doesn't convince you, check out his scenes on the outside, where he follows the elderly Brooks into a world with no more place for him, a world which holds the humiliation of still having to ask to take a whiz despite being "free" and where suicide has a power even greater than it does inside.

Freeman isn't alone in providing a great performance here. Robbins is damn good and the supporting cast is uniformly excellent. In fact, I'd like to take this opportunity to give it up for one of the most under rated actors working today, Clancy Brown, who plays Capt. Hadley, the crooked guard. Brown is one of the finest screen villains ever, with a distinct, low voice that can chill you to the bone. He's probably best known as the bad dude from the first Highlander. His work in Shawshank is damn good, but I strongly urge you to check him out in Carnivale, where he gave a regular tour de force performance as Brother Justin. Mostly, Brown lends his distinct voice to voice over work and is exceptional in that world. His portrayal of Lex Luthor on the Superman and Justice League cartoons has become the definitive article for me.

Getting back to the subject at hand, The Shawshank Redemption is a damn good film. It was snubbed by Oscar on its release, but is consistantly embraced by audiences through DVD and VHS and its near constant broadcasts on the Turner networks. I have little doubt that this one is going down as one of the finest films of the nineties if not of all time.