The Greatest Film Ever? Could Be.

Rating: 10/10 (23 June 2000)

For those who have not seen The Shawshank Redemption, you have, so far, missed a genuine treat. I have seen hundreds of films. I don't think I have ever seen more than two or three that combined what I consider to be the five basic aspects requisite for consideration as a masterpiece. This is one of those films. The five basic elements are great acting--in which we the viewer see the character, feel the character, not the actor; a great score/sound-track; a cinematic quality that enables the viewer to experience the surroundings, not just view them; great dialogue and non-dialogue--the best scripts usually utilize not only the verbal abilities of actors, but non-verbal expression as well (see a film with Cary Grant or Robert De Niro to know what I mean); and most important a compelling story.
The Shawshank Redemption not only offers ALL of these, but does so at a level few films have ever reached.
The basic plot is simple enough: a man is wrongly convicted of murdering his wife and the man with whom she is having an affair. Why then is it so great? The performances, all around, but especially of Robbins and Freeman are so rich, so human, the viewer feels they are living their experiences. The film demonstrates, magnificently, how a man can create a meaningful life against horrid (mentally and physically) circumstances. The film wrenches the guts of its viewers, yet provides great satisfaction in the end. It is a great film celebrating determination, friendship, revenge (as sweet as you will ever see), education, and the basic goodness intrinsic to all people.