The Shawshank Redemption
Other than being a cinematic masterpiece , why hasThe Shawshank Redemptionbeen systematically outrank as IMDb ’s top movie ? release in 1994 and base on a short history byStephen Kingat a time when filmmakers were clamoring to conform the author ’s work , The Shawshank Redemptionstars Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne , a banker who happen upon his married woman is having affair and is falsely imprisoned for murdering both her and the secret lover . While serving meter in Shawshank , Andy navigates the IN and out of prison house life and befriends Morgan Freeman ’s Red , but his serene demeanor hides an inner determination to escape .
AlthoughThe Shawshank Redemptionis now widely consider one of the best films of all time , success did n’t come easy for theFrank Darabontpicture . Contemporary reviews were positive , albeit not as glow as retrospective assessment , but it was at the box seat officeThe Shawshank Redemptionreally suffer , bombing spectacularly . Andy ’s search for exemption was recognized in that year ’s Academy Award nominations , but give way to bring home any Au . Through TV airplay and video rental , The Shawshank Redemptionslowly found a bigger hearing and its reputation begin to enhance until , at long last , the pic became viewed as a bona fide classic . The Shawshank Redemptionis currently savour a extended reign at the top of IMDb ’s best 250 flick .
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In an diligence where opinion is perpetually shifting , why doesThe Shawshank Redemptioncontinue to romance such passionate mass appeal ? Most importantly , The Shawshank Redemptionis a roaring artistic succeeder on every degree . Not only do the performance of Freeman and Robbins rank among the best of all time , but Shawshank is filled with brilliantly realized supporting characters who surprise and enthrall in adequate measuring rod . Despite being for the most part set in a less - than glamorous prison environment , The Shawshank Redemptionoffers terrific visuals from Darabont and fabled cinematographerRoger Deakins . The character - driven story has a innate heartiness , allow the audience the float along with Andy and Red ’s history during the uplifting moments , but bringing viewers to the edges of their seats during the intense , grim sequences .
While there ’s picayune use denyingThe Shawshank Redemption ’s credentials , is it really the undisputed " salutary moving picture of all time " as IMDb ’s ranking would evoke ? Considering the low box power , bootless night at the Oscars and the fact that even positive inspection did n’t seem to realizeThe Shawshank Redemption ’s greatness at the time , can a celluloid that read so long to find an appreciative audience truly be considered the full ?
Aside fromThe Shawshank Redemption ’s quality as a film , there are arguably other cistron behind its sterling reputation . The Shawshank Redemptiondoesn’t limit itself to a genre ; the law-breaking component are peripheral and there ’s more humor than one might find in a distinctive thriller . rather , The Shawshank Redemptiondeals in universal themes that almost anyone can touch on to and almost anyone can enjoy . This is n’t necessarily on-key of other " best film ever " competition . Francis Ford Coppala’sThe Godfather I & IIare often vaunt among the greatest flick ever made , but that acclaim will descend on deaf ears for anyone not too lancinating on gangster moving-picture show . Meanwhile , Citizen Kaneand12 Angry Menwon’t appeal to those who maintain picture did n’t exist before the advent of technicolor , andPulp Fiction ’s non - running narration can be factious to a mainstream consultation . The Dark Knightrequires at least some interest in superheroes andThe Lord of the Ringsasks the same for steel - and - sorcery fantasy . Schindler ’s Listis a wonderful moving picture , but far from an soft watch .
The Shawshank Redemption ’s fib of justice , hope , friendship and humanity overstep genre and long time , while bridging the watershed between the mainstream and hardcore film buffs . These base age far well than most films manage . So many ofThe Shawshank Redemption ’s rivals in and around IMDb ’s top 10 swear on a period set or special impression that have since been surpassed . Others have been affected by lesser sequels or genre impregnation , but none of that applies toThe Shawshank Redemption . The " best movie of all sentence " discussion is inherently subjective , but of all the possible contenders , The Shawshank Redemptionis the picture show in which most people will find something to savor .
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