Impossible Not to Watch

Rating: Null/10 (21 December 2003)

This is one of those rare, rare movies that almost forces you to stop what you're doing and watch it through to its conclusion each time you come across it on WTBS or one of the other movie stations, even though you've seen it many times and you own it on both VHS and DVD. Put succinctly, it's remarkable. There have been many comments of praise on the movie as a whole and on the uplifting and thrilling ending (beginning with Andy's escape and continuing through to his reunion with Red) and so anything I might add would be superfluous, but just I've got to single out the scene on the rooftop where Andy ingratiates himself with the brutish and sadistic chief guard by showing him how he can avoid paying taxes on his inheritance. It's the turning point of prison life for Andy and ultimately Red, and the scene is flawlessly written and executed.