I am a huge fan of the unforgettable Frank Darabont film The Shawshank Redemption released in 1994. Even though it's been 30 years since it was released, I still regularly find my inner cinephile hankering after this stone cold classic, or at the very least craving a wee read around the subject matter, perhaps open up the Wikipedia page or find a YouTube analysis of the film.
Why is The Shawshank Redemption so good?
As well as an unwavering sense of nostalgia that keeps me returning to this film, there's also a hypnotic je ne sais quoi about The Shawshank Redemption that keeps it fresh no matter how many times I revisit this work of art. Maybe it's that I was an impressionable young whippersnapper in the year 1996 when I first discovered The Shawshank Redemption, or the fact that Frank Darabont were absolutely at the top of their game when they released said film. It's hard to pinpoint something so transcendental. Once you love a piece of art you become faithful to it's ethos.
The Shawshank Redemption is a film that is still relevant
One thing's for sure though, The Shawshank Redemption has stood the test of time and then some. It remains as powerful and relevant today as it did in 1994. And why wouldn't it? With moving storyline of hope and redemption like that, it's no wonder people return to this film again and again. I can't imagine life without it John.
Frank Darabont knocked it out the park
But it's not just the moving storyline of hope and redemption that make this film great. It's the overall package. The stellar performances by Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman is a tour de force. The unforgettable Redemption revelation scene is integral, as is the poignant score by Thomas Newman. And who can forget enduring themes of friendship, perseverance, and the resilience of the human spirit. When Frank Darabont created this timeless classic, never mind the ball park, they knocked this one out of the solar system. This bad boy is in danger of bothering Voyager.
Has The Shawshank Redemption stood the test of time?
Of course, there are other films out there to be argued for. Harder, better, faster, stronger. Some might argue that Animal Kingdom is better than The Shawshank Redemption, or that David Michôd is better than Frank Darabont. They may well have a point. But for me, The Shawshank Redemption will always hold a special place in my heart. And 30 years tickling the meridian response does not lie.
The Shawshank Redemption in conclusion
To sum up, The Shawshank Redemption is a wonderful thing, a film of unrivalled quality. It's a film that has etched itself into the psyche, distributing untold tingles up the spine, hogging synapses and monopolising neurons that could otherwise be put to use appreciating more important, or perhaps more useful information. But no matter what life throws at me, I know I can always rely on The Shawshank Redemption to deliver the goods.