A true modern day classic!

Rating: 9/10 (17 May 2000)

To begin with, The story is pretty well cliched. Like most prison dramas hope and struggle seem to be the element that put the plot together. For once this is probably the one time that such a cliched plot actually worked. I have personally seen this movie over 20 times just to figure out how and why it works so well. First of all the story is deep and thought provoking. Morgan Freeman's voice over narrative lets you see it through his eyes (the movie is really about him). The acting is flawless the whole picture is shot as a true epic. This is one great film about friendship and hope that does not dwell to much on pathos and mindless sentimentality. A true modern day classic!