Shawshank - explain, please...

[amberdreams]

I've been meaning to watch Shawshank Redemption for years, and finally got round to it last night. Now I have to ask - what was so special about it? Seriously, I just don't understand. I've heard people talking about it as a classic, utterly brilliant film, not to be missed, etc etc. And I thought it was ok, it held my attention but didn't engage my emotions at all. Or at least not as much as I'd expected.

The violence and the injustice stung, of course - but I'd been much more moved by the Green Mile, and a hundred times more invested in Cool Hand Luke.

So I'm left wondering - why do people love it so much/rate it so highly? What did I miss?

Comments

[de-nugis.livejournal.com]

I had exactly the same reaction, and I have very little memory of the movie. It was definitely an "eh, that was all right" experience rather than a transformative experience. Though I'm not really a big movie fan in general. /unhelpful but validating response

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I'm grateful for validation too! I was thinking of posting a reaction straightaway but it was very late so I thought I'll leave it till morning - and it's taken me 12 hours to remember I was going to post. I don't think anything much about the film is going to stick with me. Unlike Green Mile, and Cool Hand Luke.

[dreamweaver37.livejournal.com]

I read the book first, so maybe that's why it hit me so hard. The book is breathtakingly sad.

Re:

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Ah, maybe that's where I should turn then - because the film didn't strike me as sad at all. And the ending was totally happy, which I really wasn't expecting.

[geckoholic]

Heeh. It's the other way around for me; The Green Mile left me cold, but Shawshank makes me cry every time. I'm not sure I can explain why, maybe it's just what resonates and what doesn't, or it's because I first watched it when I way younger, or because it hit the same notes as one of my fave movies in some things (Sleepers), idk.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

mmm interesting...but it can't just be youth, I've seen older people who also raved about it. Maybe it was just too subtle for me!

[siennavie.livejournal.com]

I'm like gecko. Green Mile didn't leave an impression. Shawshank did and it's among my favorite to rewatch. It's the story of friendship (among this amusing and sympathetic mix of inmates who aren't all exactly innocent), comeuppance, and triumph of spirit that gets to me. Yeah, maybe that's cheesy or too aww-inducing and perfect to be believable for some, but I liked the ...poetic-ness of the story and the writing. And I just generally enjoy stories where "good wins."

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

My hubby hated the fantasy elements of Green Mile, but I loved them. I thought they enhanced the story. I wouldn't put Green Mile at the top of my list of all time great films but I'd still put it higher than Shawshank.Don't get me wrong, it wasn't that I didn't find anything to like about Shawshank - I agree the characters were well drawn and well acted, but the only story that really moved me was the old librarian bloke. The 'good wins' part wasn't convincing enough for me. I found it difficult to believe, even while I kind of enjoyed the governor of the prison getting his comeuppance.

[bflyw.livejournal.com]

I really can't put it into words, but it just hit me so hard when I first watched it. Maybe because I was younger? Maybe because I had NO IDEA what it was about and had not heard of it before I saw it, so I had no expectations - but it left an impression, and I cried so much. I think it's on my top 3 list of films that has hit me heard.
The green mile was also an emotional film which I loved, and I remember thinking "this is a film I can watch again." I've never done it though - because for some reason, that's a film I have been able to watch, love but then move on....
Shawshank Redemption however is one I have kept thinking about, and have gone back to watch. I have to admit, it didn't hit me as hard the second time around. Maybe because I was older? Maybe because I knew the story? Maybe because I've seen plenty of films in the meanwhile?

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I'd actually done a good job on staying spoiler free - all I knew about it was it was set in prison, starred Tim Robins and Morgan Freeman (who I love) and that it had all these rave reviews.

It's interesting that your initial gut reaction didn't carry over to the second viewing.

[rockstarpeach.livejournal.com]

Adding a +1 to those who much preferred Shawshank to Green Mile. Maybe what you didn't really like about it, I did. Of course it had a happy ending. It was called Shawshank Redemption :)

What I liked was that it was really fundamentally a sweet film. There's this guy, who yes, is in a horrible situation, some BAD SHIT happens to him but the movie isn't really about that, it's about all the things that are still good. At least, for me it was.

So no, it's not a total bummer that's going to emotionally wreck you, but it's not supposed to be.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I don't mind it having a happy ending, it just felt like a non event in a way. I suppose after the build up about their big friendship, I was expecting something more. And yes, it was a nice film, but to me it was ultimately unsatisfying in it's niceness.

Oh well, it's good to know what it is that people liked about it - I'd avoided reading too much about it before watching to avoid spoilers.

[dear-tiger.livejournal.com]

To add my voice to those above, yup, also didn't care much for Green Mile (I hardly remember what was happening there, caught on TV recently and couldn't be bothered to watch), but I love Shawshank. It doesn't make me cry, but then again, not many movies do. It's in my head as one of those well-done movies, where there is a good story and good acting, characters I like, scenes that make me happy, and it's moving at just the right pace. Doesn't make me cry, doesn't touch me emotionally, but glues me to the TV effectively every time.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

"Doesn't make me cry, doesn't touch me emotionally, but glues me to the TV effectively every time." Yes i suppose that is what my reaction was - though I wasn't glued, just attentive, and I wouldn't go out of my way to watch again. Once was enough, I reckon.

[fairyniamh]

I will be honest and say... I have no idea. I am not overly fond of it and did not get the feels when I watched it.

When I feel the need to feel the hurt and the feels (usually when I am uber congested or need to get in the mood to rip out my readers heart) I watch The Green Mile, the end Armageddon, some episodes of SPN, My Girl, or some anime.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Yep, I think that was the crux of the matter for me - no feels.

[ramblin_rosie]

I've seen it once. That was... maybe twenty years ago. I liked the twist, but I don't remember being terribly ~into it~ (the way I got sucked into, say, The King's Speech or Secondhand Lions). Maybe I was too young; I dunno. It's almost more fun to be able to recognize references and send-ups, like a certain episode of Spy.
But what makes that movie special to me has almost nothing to do with the movie itself. My mom and I watched it with my grandfather one summer when we were there for a visit. :)

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Ah that personal connection makes a big difference.

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Shawshank is def in my top ten films. I honestly can't say exactly why. (I'm not much for meta) But every single time it's on, and I"m flipping through the channels I always end up watching it again.

I think part of it might be the pacing? Its not rushed. It explores the relationships and the story and the growth of Andy in a way that many stories would't have?

I also read the book first, so that also might have had something to do with it, but hubby never read the book and he loves the movie too. (and we are both 40+ age wise).

I re-watched Green Mile a few months ago and blubbered like a fucking baby through the whole damn thing!!! I love it too, but prefer Shawshank.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure The Green Mile would be on my top 50 films, but for the sheer emotion it stirred up, I'd put it somewhere on my list, I think. This one was watchable but I don't think I'm going to be drawn into watching it again. I felt it was more an intellectual exercise, somehow. Interesting rather than engaging.

I'm 55 so I'm not sure whether age is a factor though quite a few folk here watched it when they were young, so I don't know.

It's really interesting to read other people's views!

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

I loved both the Green Mile and Shawshank. I think I like Shawshank because it's such a rich story of friendship and resolve against adversity. Plus it's got Morgan Freeman in it. I thought he was delightful as Red; just perfect.

I loved the way the film explores the relationships and you see them slowly build and develop over the years.

It's a film I could watch over and over again and never tire of.

[milly-gal.livejournal.com]

I read the book first, which is perhaps why it holds such a place in my heart, but it *is* my all time favourite film!

I think perhaps it's a little like the Green Mile and other such films, it either finds a way into your heart or it doesn't, there's no real in between with those two.

I found Andy's relationship with Red was what got to me most, to see them become so close and watch Red's reaction to Andy's escape...I think I watched the whole film through Red's eyes rather than Andy's which is obviously what you're meant to do, it's Red's POV that drives the story.

Read the book hun, and see how you feel after that.