This has been the number one movie on IMDB for as long as I have been checking that list; and I think there are a number of very solid reasons for this. I have to admit that to certain degree I am affected by the global opine that it is the perfect film and in many ways I agree with that. There is a reason, afterall, that it is pretty universally agreed that Morgan Freeman is the perfect narrator.
The star of the film isn’t Morgan Freeman, as you may well know. It is Tim Robbins, who gives about as epic a performance as can be expected of a person in a film in Shawshank. He plays Andy Dufresne, a wrongfully accused and sentenced to life-in-prison inmate who ends up, over time, befriending Morgan Freeman’s character, Red.
Because Andy was a banker in his free life, he quickly becomes a very sought-after inmate by both fellow inmates and also the prison-guards and the warden. This relationship with the staff results in him being the brains behind a money-laundering scheme that the warden has set up to use free prison labor to perform various construction projects for a massive profit. It also seals Andy’s fate as a prisoner that will never be let go because of his connection with the illegal projects that are lead by the warden. It is discovered at one point there is information out there that can lead to Andy’s exoneration, but rather than allow this information come to light, the warden does whatever it takes to keep Andy in jail, and keep the illegal projects both running and underground.
I have probably already spoiled too much of the film for those of you that haven’t seen it but really, you honestly must see this movie as it is truly wonderful to experience. As you may know I am a major nay-sayer when it comes to Hollywood but this film is truly magical. It is just wonderful.
I don’t dole this out frequently but I give Shawshank a perfect score because I agree with the internet community when I say that this is without question, one of the best films ever made.
10 / 10 .... take it to the bank
