I really, really like it

Rating: Null/10 (16 July 2000)

I suppose I can't call it the single best film ever, but I really like it. I must admit I don't understand the people who call it too sappy. I'm usually pretty observant about sap, but I find this film truly touching. Well-written, well-filmed, well-acted, it is very moving from beginning to end. Some necessary changes were made from the original novella, such as making it one warden instead of several, changing over time.
The warden, in my opinion, is one of the rare well-made bad guys. You don't like him at all, but he still has human motivations, not super-evil, over-the-top unbelievable qualities. Of course, Red and Andy are both well-crafted characters.
It's a fine, understated film. I think it's one of the best films of the past several years. Good music, too.
One more thing: I saw somewhere the complaint that no one seems to age, though the movie spans several years. While the aging process isn't given the full focus of the film, it's clearly there. I don't think that's a valid complaint. My two cents are now used up.