Some of my film friends wouldn't agree

Rating: 9/10 (17 April 2004)

But for me this is my second favorite film of all time. Some just think it's too sentimental in some areas, but I just don't agree. Sure, Frank Darabont may have had a one time hit from a Stephen King novel, but what he was able to do with this character driven compelling story truly amazes me. The movie gets me every time, draws me in and holds me there. The use of voice-over is used so well in this movie and the range of emotion from Morgan Freeman's character just astonishes me.

It follows twenty years of the Red character, played by Morgan Freeman and it chronicles his life in a maximum-security prison and how one Andy Dufresne affects his life played brilliantly by Tim Robbins. Now, some may argue with me that it is Tim Robbins movie, but I would have to disagree since the character that goes through the acceptance and the change throughout the story is Red. This is the one movie where you could really have two leads, two protagonists, because they are both developed so well and their relationship is so fascinating to watch.
I never tire of this movie. The end monologue still makes me tear up every time, and it doesn't matter if I watched the movie all the way through, or if I just popped in for the last few minutes on TBS. It is such a masterfully told story of redemption and hope that if you love storytelling, you will love this movie. I love movies from every era, but this and Rushmore are my two favorite movies of all time. Without a doubt!