Can Hollywood, usually creating things for entertainment purposes only,
create art? To create something of this nature, a director must approach
it
in a most meticulous manner, due to the delicacy of the process. Such a
daunting task requires an extremely capable artist with an undeniable
managerial capacity and an acutely developed awareness of each element of
art in their films, the most prominent; music, visuals, script, and acting.
These elements, each equally important, must succeed independently, yet
still form a harmonious union, because this mixture determines the fate of
the artist's opus. Though already well known amongst his colleagues for
his
notable skills at writing and directing, Frank Darabont emerges with his
feature film directorial debut, The Shawshank Redemption. Proving himself
already a master of the craft, Darabont managed to create one of the most
recognizable independent releases in the history of Hollywood. The
Shawshank Redemption defines a genre, defies the odds, compels the
emotions,
and brings an era of artistically influential films back to
Hollywood.
The story begins with the trial of a young banker, Andy Dufrense,
victimized
by circumstantial evidence, resulting in a conviction for the murder of his
wife and her lover. After a quick conviction, Andy finds himself serving a
life sentence at Shawshank prison, with no hope of parole. He exists in
this prison only in appearance, keeping his mind free from the drab walls
around him. His ability to do this results in the gaining of respect from
his fellow inmates, but most of all from Ellis Redding. Ellis, commonly
referred to as Red, finds gainful use of his entrepreneurial spirit within
the drab walls of Shawshank by dealing in contraband and commodities rare
to
the confines of prison. Andy's demeanor and undeniable sense of hope
causes
Red to take a deeper look at himself, and the world around him. Andy
proves
to Red and the other inmates that in the conventional walls of Shawshank
prison convention will find no home in his lifestyle.
By creating the film's firm foundation, the meticulously chiseled
screenplay
paved the way for this film's success. Frank Darabont outdoes himself with
the phenomenal adaptation of Stephen King's equally noteworthy novella,
Rita
Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. In this novella, King demonstrates that
he can break free from the genre he dominates and still create a marvelous
piece of modern literature. Though the film mirrors the novella in many
ways, Darabont illustrates a focused objective of improving upon the areas
where the novella came up short, resulting in one of the best book to film
transitions ever.
While maintaining some of the poetic and moving dialogue of the novella,
Darabont also proves that a film's score can generate a great deal of
emotional response from its audience, as dialogue does. He employs the
cunning Thomas Newman, son of the legendary Hollywood composer, Alfred
Newman. Darabont shows recognition for the film's needs by employing
Newman, who makes the gentle piano chords whisper softly to the viewer, as
if a part of the scripted dialogue. Newman lends himself to individualism
and tends to drive more towards the unique in the realm of score
composition. His effort in Shawshank did not go unnoticed, as his score
received an Oscar nomination in 1995. While unique and independent,
Newman's score never once intrudes on your concentration or distracts from
the film.
With work from vast array of talented scene designers, costume designers,
composers, cinematographers, and various other Hollywood artists, the cast
of The Shawshank Redemption had a strong foundation to work with. The
marvelous cast of this film will dazzle you with some of the most
convincing
performances you will witness in a film. While both Tim Robbins and Morgan
Freeman shine as Andy and Red, respectively, the true spectacle of acting
lies within the plethora of amazing supporting actors who easily disappear
into their roles. Most noticeable of these, the veteran film star James
Whitmore, who portrays the elderly Brooks Hatlen. Brooks, a man
incarcerated for an unmentioned crime for so long that he finds himself
attached to the Shawshank and the daily life he has lead. Each of these
actors show a true dedication to their art, and a focused purpose in their
motivations, creating a convincing setting that never once caters to
anything unbelievable.
With all of the aesthetic touches and attention to cinematic detail, the
most beautiful part of the film lies within its thematic material, such as
its focus on the human desires for the most abstract concepts, like hope
and
freedom. These themes, which concern things the human spirit undoubtedly
yearns for, seem so intricately woven into the plot that it easily draws
its
audience in to its story. Though full of hardened criminals, your heart
will go out to these men as they display the most basic of human emotions,
and deliver some of the most quotable lines in a film to date. Like a
great
novel, this film manages to succeed at greater things than simply
entertaining an audience. Darabont tells his story most masterfully,
illustrating principles and inspiring his audience to think. He leaves us
a
poignant film with a powerful message of hope, and redemption, something we
all seek.
This film manages to redeem Hollywood in the eyes of people who feared it
long lost in a dark sea of clichés and predictability. Darabont shows us
that artists still work in the Hollywood studios and production facilities.
These artists show their capability to produce art; real art that inspires
you to look at the deeper aspects of life and the world around you. The
Shawshank Redemption delivers much-needed breath of fresh air for anyone
who
realizes the capability of film. It proves that masters of the craft still
live on this earth, and still bless us with timeless masterpieces that we
will never forget.
