Does anybody not like this?
I hate it because everybody else likes it!
I think it’s pretty good. It has a compelling narrative. The presentation of prison life is a tad pop culture cliche, and the dialog is a bit schmaltzy. But it’s a very well made movie.
I only saw it once in my life and remembered how great it was. But I was a kid back then, and it was some kinda new experience for me. But then I saw Colditz and thought, “wow, this one is more impressive”. Of course it’s not the same kind except for the “escape from prison” part..but I just love to compare like that.
So, i wouldn’t say that I hate Shawshank or that I love it, it was something new to me back then and I appreciate it. : )
its an airless postmodern pastiche of a 1930s social conscience film ,if it had been made then the portrayal of a mixed raced friendship would of been radical[of course it also would of been impossible]
^ Unless it was made independently or in Western Europe.
I’ve always found “The Shawshank Redemption” to be quite powerful, and a superlative example of traditional American style story-telling. Even if you don’t necessarily care for it, one has to admit it’s easily one of the best films made in Hollywood over the past 20 years (also the most nightmarish.) Lots of great themes to explore, and even though they are hardly difficult to figure out, the ideas attached to them are strong and delivered with clarity. For younger film fans, it’s also one of those films that is often used as a platform to move closer towards more “personal, serious cinema.” Personally, I would definitely consider it a milestone in my discovering of the broad variety of experiences that a film could provide.
I don’t like it.
I don’t like it. I think it is smug, preachy, characters one dimensional and the ending at the beach is completely unneccessary.
Perfectly constructed film.
Somehow, I still haven`t seen it!
Sentimentality in movies seems to bother me a lot more than it does many people, and this film is nothing if not sentimental.
Every footballer’s favourite film…
I don’t hate it but i don’t like it either
What Junderhump said. The film manages to be both sickly sentimental and brazenly exploitative at the same time. I’m not sure what makes Shawshank much different from something like Forrest Gump.
I saw it a long time ago…I remember liking it but that said, have no real interest in seeing it again. I know it’s become some sort of classic to many now.
Easily the most sentimental Hollywood film ever to contain a prison rape.
Everything has its own place. Shawshank Redemption is good in being Shawshank Redemption.
Sorry for the simple response, but I can’t really think of a lamer film.
Did Shawshank inaugurate that 90s trend of having crane shots of shirtless protagonists with their arms outstretched in the pouring rain for powerful dramatic effect and cheap symbolism?
BRADY AND THE GOOD INDIAN:
“I hate it because everybody else likes it!”
Good to see that reasonable film criticism is alive and well.
^ I think that is a reference to another strain of conversation that’s been going on here rather than a serious statement.
It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen this, but I remember despising it.
I hate Stephen King and I hate Morgan Freeman and I hate ‘magical negro’ (as Spike Lee put it) syndrome so that’s 3 strikes right there.
I hate!, I hate!, I hate!
Fascist movie.
yes keyser soze,it propagates the myth of self determination even in bloody jail. the friendship between a middle class white man and a working class black man is quite erroneous and patronizing
I just finished reading the novella “Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption” and it was good, but Frank Darabont achieved a rare feat, he improved the original story in the script and in the film. He rearranged the narrative, he choose the strongest characters to work with, the Clancy Brown and Bob Gunton characters were not the only head guards and wardens in the novella. Darabont actually gave more dimension to the characters, both Andy and Red. He combined characters to give us the Brooks character and expanded the storyline, which informed so much on the overall story of institutionalization and hope. Just a great re-evaluation by Darabont of an already strong narrative by Stephen King.
After the reading the story, I appreciate the film even more.
I don’t like it. I thought it quite sugary and a typical Hollywood feel-good movie. All the characters are so black-and-white and unbelievable.
It’s good. No more, no less.
Erik Villasenor
I personally like Shawshank and I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who doesn’t like it. So I thought if anyone could hate this movie it’s you beautiful people on the Auteurs (or Mubi, whatever you like). If you like it say why, if you don’t like it say why, if your indifferent say why, etc.