Lets keep things in perspective

Rating: 10/10 (4 October 2005)

First of all i enjoyed this film immensely. It was well shot, highly emotive and contained two great lead performances, but the fact remains that this movie is perhaps too overrated in the grand scheme of cinema.
It must not be forgotten that this film is an adaptation of a short story and as such the narrative requires a little more depth. One should also take into account the film's cult status as a sleeper hit (which never the less underlines its definite quality) as reason to be cynical over its actual significance in American popular cinema.
However, the film is undoubtedly one of the finest examples of the prison genre, certainly ranking alongside the likes of Cool Hand Luke. The relationship of the main protagonists is perhaps one of the reasons for this as is the movies themes and contextual references. As a result this is a fine picture which inspires its audience to question justice and honour in a non too clichéd way.