Quite possibly the best movie ever made

Rating: 10/10 (4 August 2000)

With all due respect to the people that complain of it's too stark good vs. evil characters, simplicity and so on... you are missing the point. Having been raised on a steady diet of Hollywood crap, this was first, and only, movie that has been truly inspirational and moved me to tears. This is NOT standard Hollywood material. It has been pointed out that, in general, optimism is equated with ignorance. I was of that opinion as well, but this was truly a LIFE-CHANGING movie for me. This wasn't a movie so much as it was a wake-up call. I've seen all the classics. But nothing I've encountered has conveyed such a message of positivity and hope as this movie, without being contrived or obvious. To all those who pour negative reviews on "Shawshank", stop being a critic, and start being human. To everyone else, I think we're all better people for having seen it.