a good film

Rating: 9/10 (23 January 2002)

This film hit me the first time i saw it. Not being able to watch it all at once (for various reasons) I was pretty disapointed coming away from the first half, but i see now why it needs to be watched properly. This isnt a comment on society as so many people think it is, but i saw it simpley as a story of a man trying to escape himself and what he has become. Whether this happens to other people is irrelivent. At first i wasnt sure about the casting of kevin spacey, and although he was excellent im not sure he was the man for the monologues. Having said that, a fool could read out those monologues and it would move people emotionally. The whole thing was brilliantly written, and looking back, it has to be one of my favorite films. I dont quite know why the shawshank redemption music* was played at certain points, but in both films, it is effective in what it is there to do. Whether or not you think you'll like it, you should watch it.
*dont have a clue what it's called, but the piano music played when Jane it undressing, and on and off after that in american beauty, and both when Brooks's letter is read out and when red gives the monologue after he is let out of prison. If someone could tell me what it's called id be greatful