When does the consequences of fighting for your own justice suppress the feeling of redemption?
“The Shawshank Redemption” written and directed by Frank Darabont takes on the 1994 American drama film based on the 1982 novel written by Stephen King called “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption”. The film tells a story of banker Andy Dufresne wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife and former lover sentencing him to two life sentences within Shawshank State Penitentiary Prison. Within the walls of his confinement he befriends a fellow prisoner by the name of Ellis Redding commonly known throughout the film as “Red” who is completing his sentence for smuggling drugs into prison. The film spans just short of 20 years showing the growing partnership of Andy and Red which portrays their life within the prison cells giving insights into their personal experiences adjusting as best they can behind bars. Throughout the film the recurring theme of social Justice keeps Andy and Red fighting for their rights in hopes of one day being able to walk free of conviction. In order to reach this point Andy must navigate his way through sexual abuse, beatings and starvation to find his prupose, his purpose of justice. Andy uses his past powers and knowledge of money laundering and illegal financial abilities to gain certain privileges for himself and other inmates in order to successfully survive within the State Prison. Us as the audience ultimately views these acts in favor of the inhumane actions placed upon the prisoners and Andy himself, this is nothing less than an act of abuse in power to convey how authority can dictate a person’s actions and ultimately end result in a person’s life. Throughout the film Andy and Reds reaction to the principles of injusticement and abuse in power provides there catalyst on the driving force in becoming free men clearing their name. By the film being at a first person point of view it makes it more realistic to an outside audience experiencing the physical abuse and psychological torture these men went through. Director Frank Darabont uses a technique throughout the movie to relate the viewer to the theme of the film in the form of voice overs which is portrayed through Reds voice. The fellow inmate serves as the narrator within the movie, the emotional weight Red Carries through prison is shown in his own perspective which speaks directly towards the viewer. The first sentence of the film through the narrators eyes includes the word “You” bringing the audience into the film within the beginning. Reds voice is portrayed as eloquent and poetically spoken nothing like convict talk you would most likely find. His voice shows humorous sides almost covering the emotion distress he is experiencing, Red controls the overall tone of the film keeping it light hearted when possible while shifting to tension when necessary. The film also includes relatable experiences of life making them appear as human as possible whom indeed is following a heart and soul in the quest for Justice. Although the theme of social justice comes across to an outside viewer as very simple it is actually quite complex when Andy and Reds road to redemption is seized by optimism and the reality of spending the rest of his life behind bars. This particular motivation is stemmed from Andy and Reds past disappointment in rejection of the State of near future parole which happened in more than one instance within the film.