Random Movie Review - The Shawshank Redemption

So we start the month of me reviewing what everyone considers the best films ever made by looking at a film which while a box office disappointment, received several awards and widespread critical acclaim. It could also be said that this was the film that established that film cliche of Morgan Freeman explaining things. I mean Morgan Freeman does have that awesome voice that is used to explain things. But anyway, let's have a look at this film:

Adapted from a Stephen King novel of the same name, the film focuses on a character called Andy Dufresne (played by Tim Robbins) who is a banker. He is sentenced to life imprisonment at the Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murder of his wife and her lover, despite pleading that he is innocent. While at the prison, he befriends a fellow inmate called Ellis Boyd Redding or Red as his nickname (played by Freeman) who acts as the film's narrator too. Andy then soon becomes protected by the guards in an attempt for the warden to use him in his money laundering operation. The film than spans over Andy's long serving time in prison where we meet a number of characters and the warden's true colours are revealed.

So I watched this on Netflix after hearing countless references to the film in pop culture. After having watched this, I now understand those references. It is a great film that introduces Morgan Freeman's acting ability to the world and makes it good enough to have him be used in other films. Its not easy having to spend time in prison and the film shows how bad things can be in there over the course of almost 40 years. Inmates beating each other up, wardens and guards being corrupt and using prisoners to their advantage. I was quite surprised to hear that it wasn't a box office hit because it is a great film that many people missed when it was released. But hey, at least the awards made up for it. 9/10