by Laurent Kelly
The Shawshank Redemption (1994) – Director and Adapted Screenplay: Frank Darabont Starring: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman , Bob Gunton OSCAR COUNT (0) – 7 nominations including Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay and Lead Actor (Freeman)
The Shawshank Redemption remains such a popular modern classic because it prevailed as that rare thing; an unashamed Hollywood sentimental picture which became genuinely moving despite its overwhelming and transparent themes of optimism. Perhaps it shouldn’t have worked, After all the film lacks the subtle ambiguity of Robert Bresson’s slow moving but astoundingly well crafted prison drama A Man Escaped. It has a stirring voiceover used to pull on the heartstrings on the audience and it shies away from showing the real nitty gritty of life behind bars. On paper it doesn’t sound like much and the title certainly doesn’t give much hope that it is going to be worthwhile.
But not all movies have to be complex to be rewarding nor subtle to be powerful and The Shawshank Redemption is a true example of simple but perfect storytelling. Continue reading
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