I’m pretty sure host John Holl did not have what follows in mind when he ask us to write about “Beer Redemption” for the 53rd gathering of The Session. But sometimes the hyperlinks in my brain get crossed. I went from thinking about how a beer might redeem itself (not making a connection) to how giving somebody a beer might be an act of redemption to what a joy it can be to put a refreshing beer in somebody’s hand.
Connection made. I thought of “The Shawshank Redemption.” Not because redemption is in the title, but because of the grin on Andy Dufresne’s face in the scene above, and the joy on his friends’ faces, as they drink “Bohemian-style beer” on the freshly tarred roof.
Red provides the commentary: “We sat and drank with the sun on our shoulders and felt like free men.”
It’s then that we see Andy enjoying the moment, even though he’s not drinking himself.
Back to Red: “You could argue he’d done it to curry favor with the guards. Or, maybe make a few friends among us cons. Me, I think he did it just to feel normal again, if only for a short while.”
******
My apologies for wandering of course this month. You’ll find more focused takes on the topic in The Session roundup at John Holl’s Beer Briefing.
I don’t know what it says about my view of culture and entertainment that I recognized that scene at first glance, let alone that I knew exactly what was going on in that scene and can remember my feelings when I first watched it.
“Man, I can’t even fathom not being able to reach into my fridge and grab a beer, never mind only being allowed one!” Cruel and inhuman.
Redemption indeed.
That’s a great scene and the connection certainly ‘clicks’.
Thanks for the contribution.