I movie that reminds us why we love Cinema

Rating: 10/10 (11 October 2002)

I saw this movie yesterday again. First time I saw it I was 13, and I had already loved it. The pleasure and sensations felt while watching this picture are difficult to describe. It had been a long time since I had last felt this way about a movie. I was completely submersed in the plot, all my mind concentrated in the facts of the movie. One loses connection with reality and, for some time, one's life disappears and the movie becomes one's life. This is the sign that indicates us that we are in presence of a great masterpiece. The plot is a beautiful story about hope, freedom and friendship. The cast couldn't be better: both Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman (one of the greatest actors of all time, when are they going to give him an Oscar?) are superb in the leading roles. Supporting cast is great too, especially veteran James Whitmore. Thomas Newton composed the music, which perfectly supports the scenes in an extremely subtle, but at the same time incredibly effective way. It brings sensibility to the images without using sentimental tricks. And this is one of the great qualities of the movie: it's moving and evocative, without ever being sentimental. Sentimental music could have ruined the movie, but Thomas Newman made a great job. The director of photography is Roger Deakins, who has already astonished us with the amazing black and white photography of "The man who wasn't there". A masterpiece.