I have waited patiently, for over a year, for the perfect opportunity to watch “The Shawshank Redemption” with my son. And that opportunity came about tonight.
He’s 14, and his focus up until now has been more on WWII movies, World War Z, and Dumb and Dumber, all of which I have also enjoyed, but none of which have been as much about character-based dramatic storytelling that evolves as a slower and more detailed pace.
I tried, without success, to get him to watch Mr. Holland’s Opus with me about 6 months ago. It’s another I’d hope to introduce him to. But he bailed just before the point where the impact of John Lennon’s death on Mr. Holland played out, a particular moment in the film and in my own life that resonates deeply, and one I’d hope to share with him through this portrayal. But that did not happen, and I let it go, knowing the timing wasn’t right to force it.
He got back from a camping trip this afternoon and said he was really missing me and wanting to spend some time with me. I arranged for him to be dropped off, for several hours, and It turned out that the time he wanted to spend was really about running errands to do things that he wanted to do, related to his interest in building out his saltwater coral aquarium. t I made it clear that I was in for the night and that I didn't want to be spending my evening running errands. I’d been out and about all day. I was done, settled in, ready for a dinner already underway, and welcomed him being with me during the evening ahead. Although disappointed, he conceded, and we sat back, enjoyed a delicious steak with blue cheese, mushrooms and whipped cauliflower on the side (the latter two he’d passed on), and he then asked: “can we watch a movie together?”.
I knew we had about 3 hours, and that Shawshank ran a little over 2. So I said yes we could, but it had to be my pick. And that he would like it.
So, we watched it. There were a few points during the movie where he indicated that he thought it was too downbeat and depressing, and he wasn't sure where it was going or if he was sure he liked it. The pace required patience on his part but (spoiler alert) the narrative and the timing of the more dramatic and engaging moments, such as the tarring of the roof, Bogs being beaten, the playing of the Aria from "The Marriage of Figaro", and the introduction of the young man who’d come to the prison with insight into Andy’s case, were all spread out just enough to keep him intrigued throughout. By the time they got to the scene where Andy was missing from his cell, he was riveted, and he loved it. He had a huge smile on his face and comment on what a great movie it was as the final scene came to a close.
My patience paid off, and the timing was right. I’m hoping that this is the first of many opportunities for me to slowly introduce him to some of my favorite movies in the coming years. Hope is a good thing...