The Shawshank Redemption

《肖申克的救赎》

二 老布的悲剧

在监狱里生活了半辈子的老布终于获得假释，但是却难以适应外面的环境。这个被瑞德称为“被制度化的”老人最终以自杀为生命画上了句号。

01:01:30 – 01:05:12

Brooks: Dear fellas, I can't believe how fast things move on the outside.

Driver: Watch it, old timer! Want to get killed?

Brooks: I saw an automobile once while I was a kid, but now they're everywhere. The world went and got itself in a big damn hurry. The parole board got me into this halfway house called "The Brewer" and a job bagging groceries at the Food Way. It's hard work and I try to keep up but my hands hurt most of the time.

A woman: Make sure your man double-bags. Last time, he didn't double-bag and the bottom near came out.

Manager: Make sure you double-bag like the lady says. Understand?

Brook: Yes, sir. Surely will.

Brooks: I don't think the store manager likes me very much. Sometimes after work, I go to the park and feed the birds. I keep thinking Jake might just show up and say hello. But he never does. I hope wherever he is, he's doing OK and making new friends. I have trouble sleeping at night. I have bad dreams like I'm falling. I wake up scared. Sometimes it takes me a while to remember where I am. Maybe I should get a gun and rob the Food Way so they'd send me home. I could shoot the manager while I was at it. Sort of like a bonus. I guess I'm too old for that sort of nonsense anymore. I don't like it here. I'm tired of being afraid all the time. I've decided not to stay. I doubt they'll kick up any fuss, not for an old crook like me…

(Andy is reading Brook's letter)

Andy: I doubt they'll kick up any fuss, not for an old crook like me. P.S. Tell Heywood I'm sorry I put a knife to his throat. No hard feelings. Brooks.

Red: He should have died in here.

Comment点评

从老布开始得知自己将被假释的那一刻起，他就恐慌不已，竟然妄想拿刀挟持狱友来逃脱假释的命运。结果老布还是走了，当看到他在公车上紧握的手以及害怕外界的眼神时，令人总有一种想哭的冲动，这明明就是一个被抛弃的孩子！正如瑞德所说，在监狱里，人人都需要他，但是到外面他就什么都不是了。讽刺的是，这个囚禁了他一辈子的监狱竟然被他称为“home”。如今，“家”遗弃了他，可怜的老布只能以伛偻之躯告别世界，只留下了“Brook was here”三个字。在影片后面，当瑞德获得假释后，他面临着与老布同样的现实，幸运的是他没有选择走老布的路，而是在老布刻下的字后加上了“So was Red”的话，然后踏上与安迪重逢的旅程。也许，这点是唯一能安慰观众的结局吧。

注释

fella 俚语，“小伙子、伙计”的意思。

old timer “老前辈、老资格”的意思。但在影片中是司机对老布乱过马路行为的讽刺和挖苦，理解为“老家伙”更合适。

kick up any fuss 这是由一个“kick up a fuss”变化而来的，意思是“引起混乱、造成影响”。

crook 口语词，“骗子”的意思。