The Shawshank Redemption

The Shawshank redemption is the movie adaptation of Stephen King's novel - Rita Hayworth and Shawshank redemption. Directed by Frank Darabont, it is one of his most successful movies. The movie stars Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne and Morgan Freeman as Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding. It came out in 1994 along with pulp fiction and Forrest gump. Though, it was not a box office hit but gradually it was accepted as one of the greatest movie ever made.

Undoubtedly, it is a great classic. When I first saw it, i just could not get enough of it. The dialogues, for me, were the soul of the movie. Without much delay, I will share a few of those memorable quotes from this special movie.

Red: "Prison life consists of routine, and then more routine."

Red: "In prison, a man will do anything to keep his mind occupied."

Red: "These walls are funny. First you hate them and then, you get used to them. Enough time passes, you get depended on them. That's institutionalized."

Red: "Get Busy Living, or Get Busy dying. That’s goddamn right."

It’s all about prison life. Isn’t it?

Let’s just give it a thought. You hate something. You want to change it badly. But in the end, it might happen that the same thing might end up changing you. We all get used to the things. We all adapt. We all get institutionalised. Of course, there are some rebels, some exceptions. But a large chunk of us, just get busy with the routine. It might sound pessimistic but practicalities and truth are not that easy to accept. What can we do about it?? For the time being, just read on…

(In the middle of the movie)

Andy: "There are places in this world that aren't made out of stone, and that there's something inside that they can't get to and that they can't touch. It's yours. ....... Hope."

Red: Let me tell you something my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.

(Nearing the end of the movie)

Andy: "Remember Red, Hope is a good thing, may be the best and no good thing ever dies. I'll be hoping that this letter finds you and finds you well."

Red: "I find I'm so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope to cross the border. I hope to see my friend. I hope the pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I HOPE"

These four quotes more or less summarize the core of the movie for me. These are enough to depict a transition that was very subtle, smooth but telling in the end.

Andy: "Salvation lies within"

Red: "Some birds are not meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright. And when they fly away, the part of you which knows, it was a sin to lock them up does rejoice. Yet the place you live is much more drab and empty after they are gone."

Red: "Some things are best left unsaid."

Yes, some things are best left unsaid. With that note, this blogger will take your leave, until next time.