A FILM CRITIQUE ON

THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the subject

FAMIS, ROSEMARIE A.
Name of Student

Date of Submission: 27 September 2019

THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION

CINEMATOGRAPHY:
The Shaw shank

redemption is done in the

realistic view which is clearly

demonstrated by various

scenes and their photography

with a combination of

formalism and realism in the shooting makes the characters have more intimacy

with the audience. The use of long takes, close ups, and slow zooms toward the

characters make the story intimate enough to affect the audience. In the film the

close-up shots for Andy and Red are seen in the film this to distinguish them from

other prisoners to highlight them for the audience. The film is more on formalism

which they make use of silhouette. The use of low angles in shooting scenes give

them invisible and portraying togetherness helps demonstrate their powerfulness,

and for the high angles and loneliness depict powerlessness in prisoners. Lighting

in the film is also used to demonstrate the different degrees of freedom in the

movie to give more intense feels for the people five them more attachment to the

film. The use of this elements in cinematography gives more intense and

strongness in the film which it makes more meaning in the story.

The story of The Shawshank

Redemption tends to follow the

classical narrative structure. The

movie is structured in the three-part

format which this may have seen in

other movies, in this film the formats

are the typical of the classical structure, which organizes the story into the setup,

the development, and the resolution. Within the classical narrative structure, the

setup of the film is where the main characters of the story are introduced, as well

as their goals, and the obstacles their likely to face in the pursuit of their

objectives. The beginning of The Shawshank Redemption introduces us to the

main protagonist of the story the character of Andy fit’s the stereotypical

archetype of a protagonist, because the narrative plot evolved around him and we

as an audience are made to feel the most empathy for him. Andy’s character

appears to be good hearted, which is why we believe in his innocence that gives

the story a developmental goal and establishes Andy’s characters objective,

which is to prove his innocence and reclaim his freedom. Andy’s character plays

many meanings for this movie which it gives us instances in the development of

the play which is typical for classical model structure of narrative storytelling, as

it presents a false resolution to the story’s main conflict. We concluded, following

happily ever after. All this information points to the understanding that this story

follows the guidelines of a classical narrative story structure.

SOUND:
The music throughout the film plays an important role in contributing to the

movie’s overall themes and moods. The Shawshank redemption, being a

narrative film, has a narrative film soundtrack. The sound is more often defining

the picture, to relay the themes of hope and despair upon the audience. The voice-

over effects are well placed and really help deliver the emotion the narration is

trying to convey to the audience this voiceover narration has the same synergetic

component. According to the interview about this film they use a lot of

orchestrated pieces of music in this film, particularly piano and string

instrumentation. They use the piece, the “Stoic Theme” which highlights the

scenes describing Andy’s entrance into Shawshank and the prison itself. This

theme synergizes with the images, both working to complement the mood of one

another. The music works hand in hand with the scene, because it plays on the

notion of hope and Andy’s pursuit of freedom. The music has a monumental build

to it, with the eventual climax coming when he rips his shirt off in the rain. Thus,

this music works to fuel the theme of hope, and what can be achieved if one never

gives up on it.
MISE-EN-SCENE:

In the Shawshank Redemption, the use of music within the scenes, aides in

establishing the films ambience. These functions of sound have the most

important and frequently use throughout the movie. They are widely used to

facilitate and enhance the movies character development, mood, emotion, and

tension. Other details in the film like the casts a shadow over the prison and

creates a gloomy and rather lifeless atmosphere to it, establishing a depressing

environment and ambience. This key point contributes to the films underlying

theme of hope and creates an optimistic ambience and environment. Various

sound elements also have a beautiful effect on the films pacing, both slowing it

down or speeding it up at times. One of the most noticeable instances of pacing

occurs during the voiceover narrations, where the choice to use mild mannered

background music, slows down the pace, making for a better setting for the

narration of his story.

SETTING:

There are three settings in the movie, the first one is the Shawshank Prison, the

second setting is in the Apartment where Brook commit suicide and in the

Zihuatanejo. About 95% of the movie takes place inside the walls of Shawshank.

This is where all the problems of the protagonist occur and how the protagonist

solve his problem. In this setting, it portrays the story itself and gives strong

impression for the audience. The next setting in the film is in the apartment and
they call it the most depressing apartment ever because this is where Brooks hang

himself and died. The last setting in the film is in the Zihuatanejo. Zihuatanejo

basically represents two things—hope and freedom, because most of us will never

have to dig our way out of a prison cell, it's the concept of having a strong,

definitive goal and working hard to realize it that resonates with the film's

audiences.