Very interesting premise

Rating: Null/10 (29 April 2002)

I have read a number of ideas about the movie but nobody has discussed the symbolism behind the names of the characters. 'Leaven' and 'Worth'? Leavenworth? 'Kazan' and Quentin'? San Quentin? Both peniteniaries.
Rennes an escape artist? Free like a bird or more specifically a Wren?
I don't have any explanation for 'Alderson' or 'Holloway', but maybe I am way off on the first five names. However, the way I look at it is that they are not in a peniteniary like San Quentin or Leavenworth but a prison of the world that has been created by man little by little and they are put their to see if, "They can save themselves from themselves," which they can't.
Or maybe, along the lines of "Jacob's Ladder" they are in some sort of purgatory, paying for their sins or whatever. Anyway, it is interesting to try to figure out, as impossible as it may be.