superbly written and acted, worth seeing and seeing again

Rating: 10/10 (2 January 2002)

Probably the best Stephen King film adaption ever, but you don't have to be a King fan to enjoy this awesome movie. The plot centers around the (wrongful?) incarceration of Maine banker Andy Dufresne(excellently portrayed by Tim Robbins) after being convicted for the murders of his wife and her lover. However, the film (AND story....read it) go beyond that and detail the cruel, corrupt inner workings of the prison, the emotional and mental state of the inmate, and the conflict of inner bars versus outer ones. The supporting cast is also uncommonly good, led by heavyweight character-actor Morgan Freeman as the veteran con "get-it-guy" Red. With moments of brutality, beauty, humor, and an unexpected twist, The Shawshank Redemption is easily one of the best films in recent cinematic history.