An imprisoned banker finds hope in the least expected place

Rating: 10/10 (8 February 2011)

I've watched a number of movies during the years. I'm not sure whether that number is north of 500 but it's definitely close. No other movie has had the effect that Shawshank Redemption has on me every time I watch it.
The movie describes the years in prison of Andy Dufresne(Tim Robbins), a banker who is convicted for the murder of his wife. There he meets Red(Morgan Freeman), another convicted felon, who -like most movies featuring Morgan Freeman- is also the narrator of the movie.
Throughout his years in prison, we watch Andy go from some prisoners' boxing bag, to prison's librarian, to prison guards' personal banker. We experience with him the pain, the frustration, the sorrow. Tim Robbins gives a magnificent performance opposite Morgan Freeman's Red, maybe the only role outshining Mandela in Invictus.
I won't bother you with technical details about direction, cinematography and art direction. The All-Time Best Movie place here in IMDb is by it's own a testament of the excellence that is the Shawshank Redemption. Few (if any) movies will provide the viewer with such a feeling of catharsis by the end. I hope I haven't spoiled it.
If you haven't already watched this masterpiece of a movie, rush to the nearest DVD store. Every human being able of watching a movie should watch this movie at least once.
Cheers