certainly one one the most touching films i've seen

Rating: 10/10 (8 February 2014)

Like some other reviewers, I had avoided watching this: jail movies, Stephen King ( and don't get me wrong - I really like his novels and the films esp The Shining - even though he hated Kubrick's version - but I had an expectation of his work which was counter to what makes a 'universal' movie).
Eventually, by accident, I had it on in the background on a UK digital channel, but in about 10 minutes in I stopped doing what I was doing and watched it.
There's no point in my trying to add much to the thousands of words that have been written about this - all I know is that it touched me deeply - and in a way that I thought an all male cast and plot setting couldn't do. A truly beautiful, thought provoking and 'moral tale'.
If there is anyone one out there who still haven't seen this - I really suggest that you do so. I simply can't believe that it barely recovered budget in the 90's when it was first released.
I think it is one of the most exceptionally brilliant movies Hollywood has ever produced.
Morgan Freeman was brilliant, of course, but it is an ensemble piece: the whole is much much greater than its parts.