THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION

I notice one thing about prison movies – they always portray inmates as nice and good people, usually treated unfairly by the prison guards. The same goes for The Shawshank Redemption, but still, this is one of the best films ever made.

Recently, I also watched a documentary on an American Prison (I forgot which one) and apparently, the most ruthless and dangerous criminals inhabit that place. Everyone knows that prison isn't what you call a fancy place. You get beaten up if you are in the wrong place, wrong time or just because you're in the wrong gang.

According to the documentary, the inmates all say that it is important to have a gang, so that your B-U-T-T is protected. Also, it's important to do whatever the gang leader tells you to or you’re dead. So basically, if your gang leader asked you to beat someone up, you have to, even though you risk being caught and then be sentenced to a few more years in prison. In prison, you have to get your hands dirty for survival.

Also, there are transparent lines in the fields of the prison. According to the prisoners, each gang has their own areas, and they have to stick to their own areas. If they cross the invisible border, they will get beaten up and that’s when fights among tribes happen. For example, the basketball court belongs to the African-American, the baseball to the Latinos etc.

I don't know why I'm giving you tips on prison life. But I hope you don't need to use them. 

When I watch The Shawshank Redemption, I can't help but refer to the documentary and compare the differences between the scenarios in real prison as compared to what is portrayed.

The Shawshank Redemption does give a similar depiction of what a real prison is like, except that in the documentary, the warden is kind but in the movie, the warden is evil. Well, usually in all prison movies, the warden is the villain. Remember The Longest Yard and The Last Castle?

But at least justice is served at the end of The Shawshank Redemption although in reality, that's not always the case. In the movie, the lead actor managed to escape from prison, with a new identity and a luxurious life in some beautiful island. Well, we still watch shows like this to feel better about life, to give ourselves hope.

In fact, the most memorable line from the movie: 

Hope is a good thing.

A few things came to mind when watching this movie.

Hope

Although it is true that when hopes get to high, you’ll get hurt deeper but hopes give us reasons to live. Just like how Tim Robbin's character survived prison because he believed that one day he will be able to escape from it. It was hope that drove him to start making the secret passage that led to his freedom. So when used wisely, hope really is a good thing.

Black or White?

There's always a thin line in defining good and evil. Cops can also be as merciful or even worst than the criminals.

Second Chances

People make mistakes and I guess that prison movies remind us to give ex-criminal a chance too because just like us, they are human and every human make mistakes (although some bigger than others).

Intelligence and Patience

I truly admire Tim Robbin's character in the movie for his perseverance, wisdom and intelligence. These virtues got him out of jail. He might be the mysterious, quiet type, who doesn't know how to express himself, but deep down, he is a darn intelligent man.

Is there such a thing as justice served?

Sometimes, you watch crime and justice shows and it really makes you laugh because it seems that justice is always served. The characters will always be determined to do their best to find the truth and evidence. The sad truth is, there is still a lot of unfairness in the world. One could be framed or tortured into a confession. Whatever it is, just try not to end up in these sticky situations because cops are not all sugar and spice and everything nice.

Friendships

I think that some of the best friends are made with those who have gone through hard times with you. And true friends are also those who don't run away when you are in trouble. The part which made me cry like a baby (I can’t stand watching sad old people) was the part when one inmate, Brooks, who was release on parole, committed suicide. He was old and he just wasn't used to the life outside of prison. He has to try to fit into society that is new to him, he goes home to a lonely four-walled bedroom, lonely and missing all his friends in prison.

It is true when they say, in prison, he is a librarian, but outside, he is really nobody, or worst, perceived as an ex-convict. Even for me, fitting in a new place without friends is hard, let alone an old man, like him. I can totally relate to Brooks.

Thank God Morgan Freeman didn’t kill himself like Brooks.

In conclusion, not watching The Shawshank Redemption means losing out on a classic.