Great Film for Non-Action Fans, Possibly Just a Little Overrated...

Rating: 9/10 (9 March 2015)

So the story is about Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a man who has been falsely sentenced to prison. In prison, he meets Ellis Boyd "Red" (Morgan Freeman), to help him understand many things about life within the four walls. The newcomer seems different than most of the rest though, and, especially in the beginning, attempts to give his co- prisoners moments to live for, moments forgotten for most of them through simple and imaginative ways. As time goes by, he comes to terms with what has happened and (no matter how he tries to help and evolve), he understands what he is supposed to do for the rest of his life. But there is one thing he won't let go: Hope.
I will agree with those who have an issue with the fact that this movie is considered to be "the best of all time". I think it's really not THAT good. Although I understand it may has a reason and it's on purpose, the pace is slow (could be characterized "too slow") and the music (pretty important for this class of a movie) is "eh.." And last complaint: Gil Belows as "Tommy" was so annoying...
Having said that, there is no one who can deny that it's a beautiful story and greatly told. It's pretty simple really. And it's that simplicity of the story that makes it great... The film takes place in a prison and while most of the people who are going to see it have never been in prison (obviously), Frank Darabont makes you connect with every single character in the film. And he does it so elegantly, you won't even understand it happened. It says more about hope and life with lost purpose than any other film I have recently seen. And when I say "recently", I mean films that have been out there the last 20 years.
The performances in the movie are extraordinary. Morgan Freeman is great and I guess, even if most people don't really like him, Tim Robbins plays a role he fits exactly into. Bob Gunton is the perfect Warden to portray the necessary villain. I didn't really like William Sadler as Haywood but hey... that's the point, "not to like him", right?
What I really liked most is the way this movie found time to cover all those issues without losing it's focus. It's great how you are not distracted at all when several things take place, while they are not contributing to the full-story. And yet... you care. Because it's something more than just a case or a chase... It's about life. And you can never get bored in this movie if you're watching to learn something.
That's why the people who choose this movie to be moved and capture something emotionally greater and more ambitious than huge gunfights and cop-stories, will be fully pleased. People who choose this expecting for the bomb to blow up and some guys yelling "Get Down!" and swearing... sorry, this is not for you.