Every bit as good as its reputation

Rating: 10/10 (22 July 2003)

There are some very special movies out there. There are those which are highly thought-provoking and leave you questioning things. There are those which are a mindless blast and great fun to boot. And then there are those which are simply sublime. They might keep it simple, but they execute in such a way that they drag you in deep and have you caring about the characters. The Shawshank Redemption is one such film. This is a absolutely outstanding story which is as simple as it is eloquent.
It's about a man wrongly imprisoned for the murder of his wife and sentenced to life at Shawshank. There he slowly finds friends and the drama of their lives is the focus of the story. He promises many times that he *will* break out within 20 years, and no one, of course, believes him. It's this hope which drives the whole movie. Men in prison have nothing but hope. Take that away and they have nothing. And that's what Andy (The main character) wants to avoid.
The ending to this is simply breathtaking in its simplicity, but incredibly heartwarming and will have you punching the air in delight.
Nominated for 4 oscars, this won none of them. Utter travesty.
A magnificent story, and one which will stand the test of time.