So far the best American film I have ever seen.

Rating: 10/10 (14 January 2001)

This movie is so far the best American film I have ever seen. I am surprised it didn't receive the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Director. The story is touching and the actors delivered excellent performance. It captured the subtle human emotions one expressed when he faced a sudden traumatic misfortune in life and demonstrated how he kept hope and faith when he spent years of difficult life in prison. It also has a good portrait of true friendship between the two main characters in the movie (Tim Robins and Morgan Freeman). I am sure I will own a DVD for this film and will watch it again and again over the years as every time I watched it, it reminded me of the courage, hope and faith one should have when faced with obstacles in life. I can't say enough good thing about this film. If you haven't watched it yet, I highly highly recommend it and you won't be disappointed.