Robbins himself believes that the concept of Zihuatanejo resonates with audiences because it represents a form of escape that can be achieved after surviving for many years within whatever "jail" someone finds themselves in, whether a bad relationship, job, or environment. Robbins said that it is important that such a place exists for us. Isaac M. Morehouse suggests that the film provides a great illustration of how characters can be free, even in prison, or imprisoned, even in freedom, based on their outlooks on life. Philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre described freedom as an ongoing project that requires attention and resilience, without which a person begins to be defined by others or institutions, mirroring Red's belief that inmates become dependent on the prison to define their lives. Andy displays resilience through rebellion, by playing music over the prison loudspeaker, and refusing to continue with the money-laundering scam.
Robbins himself believes that the concept of Zihuatanejo resonates with audiences because it represents a form of escape that can be achieved after surviving for many years within whatever "jail" someone finds themselves in whether a bad relationship job or environment Robbins said that it is important that such a place exists for us Isaac M Morehouse suggests that the film provides a great illustration of how characters can be free even in prison or imprisoned even in freedom based on their outlooks on life Philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre described freedom as an ongoing project that requires attention and resilience without which a person begins to be defined by others or institutions mirroring Red's belief that inmates become dependent on the prison to define their lives Andy displays resilience through rebellion by playing music over the prison loudspeaker and refusing to continue with the money-laundering scam