Review of The Shawshank Redemption (1994) by Mike D — 31 Aug 2014

There have been a handful of movies set in a prison over the years. Some comedies, a lot of dramas - all of them sharing certain elements. One that tends to stand out from most others is the 1994 best picture nominee 'The Shawshank Redemption,' which is at its heart about the power of friendship and perseverance in the face of adversity.

Set in mid-20th century Maine, 'Shawshank' looks at how two very different men (portrayed by Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins) can develop a friendship and make differences in the lives of their fellow inmates through regular acts of kindness in a federal prison.

The film has all the makings of a classic, from solid, smart dialogue to bursts of drama and a quality soundtrack. The ups and downs experienced by both Robbins' character, Andy Dufresne, and Freeman's character, 'Red' Redding, are both rewarding and painful.

One of the greatest strengths of 'Shawshank' is its climax - one that is not exactly expected based on the progression of the film. As things can go from bad to worse, 'Shawkshank' demonstrates there is always the chance for redemption, which is apparent based on the film's namesake.

'The Shawshank Redemption' has already proven to stand the test of time, and it's likely it will continue to do so.