There is one immutable fact in Shawshank prison and that is everybody is innocent or at least claims to be. But what if someone was truly innocent what would prison do to that person. Andy Dufresne is a young well to-do bank manager in the Portland, Maine area. But when he finds out his wife is cheating on him at the country club with the local golf pro he loses his cool. He gets drunk and parks outside their place with the intention of murder but he claims he sobers up at the last minute and drives away. But the only problem is that is wife is still dead as well as her lover. So the court orders Andy to serve to life sentences back to back at Shawshank prison. There he becomes friends with Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding the man who can get you anything. Red is the prison’s jack of every trade and does business in smuggled in and contraband goods. But Andy doesn’t seem to fit in at the prison as he can walk through the Jail’s yard like he was taking a stroll in the park. It is this cool demeanor and his meticulous nature that makes him friends like Red as well as enemies who would like nothing better than to see him humbled and brought down. So Andy finds himself in a world of convicted criminals trying to find his way in a new world while still trying to prove his innocence and regain his freedom.

The Shawshank Redemption is a tale of hope and never giving up no matter what the world throws at you. A drama about the depths a man’s soul can take and still remain strong no matter the adversity. A tale of friendship and how such friendship can save you even in the cold dark world that may try and drown you. A story of prison life that can be nitty and gritty at times as well as brutal and cruel. It is also one of the best movies ever made and its story can draw you in and enthrall you like no other tale of right and wrong. The acting is incredible as Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins make you feel for their characters as you cannot help but be drawn to these men. Even Freeman who plays a confessed murderer shows that men can be redeemed through friendship and time. Time to change, time to evolve, time to become a better person. But it is the story itself that steals the show. Based on a short story by Stephen King the story deals with so many aspects of life while also advocating the most important part of life: Hope. It also portrays the brutal world of prisons before today’s revelations that they should not be such. This is a movie that because of its great acting and excellent story will stand the test of time. There is not a lot of action the movie is a pure drama and a drama that can make you enthralled by the characters and their plights. The movie also has several messages of hope and redemption that cannot be ignored. The movie is a must see for everyone who enjoys a good movie and a good drama.
5 stars out of 5