Oliver.ne11

I don’t really count this as a film since it is just a play but I absolutely love it, it’s got incredible songs, plot and acting I always feel highly entertained throughout the whole ‘film’ despite its length. Masterpiece would recommend!

**“Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things and no good thing ever dies.”** This film is different to others because other films are just entertaining or fun to watch this film actually reminds you why the story of a film matters. The Shawshank redemption focuses on the theme of hope without being cheesy or overdoing it. It makes hope feel powerful by contrasting it with the despair of a corrupt prison filled with abusive guards dangerous people and impossible conditions. This resonated with me because do it in the scene of a prison and manage to do it so differently, it would usually be the main goal is to escape the prison so they can be free. What is done differently is that in order to escape physically they must escape mentally first. We see this with Charles as when he gets out he wasn’t ready at all and it leads to his life being worse than prison which is designed to take everything away from hit but because he hasn’t got the correct mental state he hates freedom leading to his death. Throughout the film incredible performances are seen by Tom Robbins and Morgan Freeman they both play their roles so perfectly as Morgan Freeman uses his commentary to make the film feel far more personal as if it was a book or letter being read to us rather than watching the situation unfold by ourselves. The direction of the film allows the story to take its time and build genuine connections with the characters which makes every moment of the film feel like you’re earning something. The cinematography captures how harsh the life in prison can be which then contrasts with how beautiful the moments of freedom are making the escape scene feel much more emotional as the beautiful score helps further elevate the scene. One of the films greatest strengths is the pacing the film feels like it unfolds naturally rather than being forced to cut the time or making it too long so that you don’t ruin the story every second is important and the time is used in an outstanding way. Ultimately, the Shawshank redemption is so much more than a prison film that can be seen on the surface but is rather a compelling story showing the true values of hope, friendship, resilience and holding onto the things that make you human when life tries to take it from you. Very few films are able to such powerful and emotional experiences while leaving you with so much optimism. It’s a film that you will remember and makes you act better as a human long after you finish watching it and leave a review, this film completely lives up to its hype and is one of cinemas greatest pieces. Absolute Masterpiece!

This is a really enjoyable film that also isn’t enjoyable at all. Throughout the film there is incredible cinematography almost constantly and the colors are used incredibly even though I don’t know what they’re being used to show. It’s a compelling story all the way through with a somewhat heartbreaking ending and the only con I can find is that I personally didn’t enjoy some of the music and by that I mean like the ones with singing that were very cheesy musical type songs all of the jazz and still some of the cheesy musical stuff was great and helped excel the story to another level of greatness. Would absolutely recommend this film. I have a crush on Ryan Gosling.