Great prison drama

Rating: 9/10 (22 September 2005)

I have seen this movie twice and I enjoyed it as much the second time as I did the first time. Of course the surprise-effect is gone the second time because you know how the story goes, but that isn't a problem. The story is brilliant: it's amazing how clever Andy is! The acting is outstanding. Morgan Freeman proves again he is a top-talent and also Tim Robbins is wonderful.
The story has everything: it's very sensitive and it shows some aspects of prison that aren't shown in other prison movies. It think (but I'm not sure because I have never been in prison) it gives a unique, but realistic view on the prison life and the many feelings prisoners are confronted with doing their time. The example of very tragic but so true I think. The guy has been his whole life in prison, that's the only life he knows and when he is released, he doesn't know how to built up a life in the real world because the world he know before prison doesn't exist anymore.
Frank Darabont proves he is a remarkable director and that he is made for directing prison-movies. "The Green Mile" is also an excellent and touching prison drama. It almost unbelievable that "The Shawshank Redemption" didn't won any Academy Award. But of course you can't deny that fact that the competition was fierce that year with also "Forrest Gump" in the running.
Highly recommendable prison-drama with great acting performances by Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins.
9/10