The Shawshank Redemption

       Written/Directed by Frank Darabon

1) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

Shawshank Redemption tells a spellbinding story that immediately gained critical praise and draws audiences in to this day. Directed and written by Frank Darabon the film actually bombed in the box office, earning roughly half of its budget in the box office. It is one those films that can’t be explained in the sense that it has received increasing critical acclaim over time. The story is that of Andy Dufresne, a wrongly convicted banker who discovers more about himself inside a prison than he ever did in the real world. Alongside him in this journey is Ellis Boyd Redding or Red for short, a long standing inmate who has spent a greater portion of his life within prison than out. He seems to know the prison like the back of his hand, but is educated by Andy on the merits of patience, hope, and beauty. Prison goes beyond being bound within walls, and freedom is more than being physically unbound, the story looks at how our mind can be the greatest prison or the most beautiful release, it depends on your outlook.

2) Find a related article (on the film, director, studio, actor/actress, artistic content, etc.) and summarize the content.  You may use the library or the internet.  

Still Finding Love in 'The Shawshank Redemption' 15 Years Later

By Andre Rivas

Link: http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/still-finding-love-in-the-shawshank-redemption-15-years-later/

Rivas’ article essentially discusses how the film has garnered a building amount of praise over a long period of time, not unlike the patience of the titular film’s main protagonist. While the film did receive a very respectable 7 academy nominations it failed to win any awards during the Oscar season, but consider that it was up against Forrest Gump. Rivas admits that he is biased when rating the film and has always ranked it as one of his favorite. He was even upset with Roger Ebert giving it 3 ½ stars in his review. Years later Ebert would rank the film among his “Greatest Films of All Time” list. The film was initially a critical success but has built a widening audience through home video and DVD’s.

He goes on to discuss how in his opinion, it is the powerful characters (despite what some may consider typical archetypes) that really draw the film. Dufresne is quiet, reserved, and enigmatic, while Red is the affable inmate who can get you anything you want. There is the strict warden Norton who treats his inmates as subhuman, hiding behind his pious, a hypocrite to the end. Then there is Captain Hadley, the no-nonsense prison guard who will beat you senseless at a moments notice. Despite what some may consider trite characterization the film shines and all the actors perfectly suit their roles. But what really makes this film so memorable is its readily apparent message of hope in the face of overwhelming despair, a notion any movie can relate to.

3) Apply the article to the film screened in class.   How did the article support or change the way you thought about the film, director, content, etc.?

I completely agree with Rivas’ take on the film. From the moment I saw the film I was endeared to it. While Rivas may have considered the characters typical, I somewhat disagree with his statement. It is easy to shoehorn characters into an archetype if you look hard enough. What the film does, that so many others fail to do, is make these characters real, relatable, or even despicable. The audience has the same initial reaction to Dufresne that Red does: initially we see him as apathetic or indifferent – even cold during his trial – yet we soon come to relate to him. By films end we see he isn’t quick to show emotion but shows his character through action. Funny enough he became more sociable in prison than he ever would have on the “outside world”. The warden is loathsome, and despite his outward pious he is a no better than many of the men he imprisons. We come to like Red, and are as drawn to his gregarious nature as the members of his “crew”.

What I can agree with is Rivas’ take on the theme of hope. Audiences preferred the films ending over the books, which comes as no surprise. The film leaves audiences questioning Andy’s innocence yet we still empathize with him. After we know for a fact he is innocent we hope he can somehow free himself of his situation. The ending is the payoff for both Dufresne and audiences, He comes out on top and one up’s his aggressors along the way.

4) Write a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion, formed as a result of the screening, class discussions, text material and the article.  I am less interested in whether you liked or disliked a film, (although that can be part of this) than I am in your understanding of its place in film history or the contributions of the director.

What draws most movie goers into the film is the story of hope, redemption, and surmounting overwhelming odds. The movie also has wonderful cinematography although it may be lost on the typical movie. We can cite the famous shot of the prison itself as the inmates are alerted to the alarm which signals the arrival of “fresh fish”, but there is so much more to take note of. The main cell block (a spectacularly built set) which houses the characters is a long narrow hall that seems endless. We get these wonderful shots that frame the space just right which makes it seem as if to goes on forever.

Then we have the use of color pallets in the film. The majority of film uses cool colors giving off an incredibly somber feel, even when they find themselves outside in the yard. The atmosphere conveys the characters inner turmoil. In contrast, there are scenes that embody hope that have warm colors, for example when Andy manages to get his friends beers on the rooftop. They sit blissfully under the warm sun, drowning away their dreary circumstances in alcohol and laughter, all the while Andy has the most curious smile on his face. The music is perfectly orchestrated to fit the mood of film as well. When a film has superb acting, a strong plot, beautiful camerawork, and poignant music working in concert you truly have something special. For me, the Shawshank Redemption is that kind of film.


Plagiarism Statement:  Attach this to the end of every journal assignment.

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM

1) ( x ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

2) ( x ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.

3) ( x ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4) ( x ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5) ( x ) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.

6) ( x ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.

7) ( x ) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

8) ( x ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Name: Benjamin F. M. Novoa          Date: 4/5/2014