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

[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.