One of the most heartfelt and uplifting films ever made, The Shawshank Redemption culiminates in Andy Dufresne's (Tim Robbins) escape from prison, tunneling through literal sewage and emerging out the other side into the rain. It's cinema's go-to moment of salvation, as the filth of the prison is literally washed away by the rain, a not-so-subtle though nevertheless potent visual metaphor. On its own terms, the image is one of sheer adulation, a reminder to embrace nature and smell the roses every now and then...and hopefully you won't have to wait twenty years like poor old Andy. If you're able to stand out in the rain and just soak it in, then at least in that moment, you're free, and that's about as great as life gets. Even if you can't quite get on board with the absurdity of Andy's means of escape, it's almost impossible not to get wrapped up in the emotion of his two-decade quest to win his life back. Did we miss any immensely powerful cinematic images? Let us know in the comments!
Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes).
General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.
