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

[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!