Shawshank Redemption (1994) is a film that, written and directed by Frank Darabont, and starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, will have different perspectives to varying audiences. The crux of the movie revolves around the hero's resilience and integrity. Andy's resilience is amazing: convicted of murdering his wife and lover (and, later, evidence shows that he likely did not do so despite the insurmountable evidence that ran to the contrary); initially despised by other inmates because of his introversion; time and again brutalized by them; manipulated by the jail warden; and spending 20 years in jail -- an inordinate amount of time for anyone -- Andy, nonetheless, manages to maintain his sanity and integrity. And he does this not by physical force but by mental force. Eventually escaping, he teaches his jail mates that smarts can always prevail and that hope is the ultimate means of survival.

Yet there are...
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