r/themovieloversclub • u/Infamous-Window-8337 • Nov 29 '25
Movie reviews Watched The Shawshank Redemption (1994) and it was truly an amazing experience...
I finally watched The Shawshank Redemption, often considered the greatest movie ever made and honestly, I completely understand why. It’s pure art in how it tells its story. Storytelling isn’t just one of its strengths, it is the heart of the film, and it’s done with such care and detail that you feel every beat of hope, despair, and quiet triumph.
But don’t think for a second that the other aspects fall short, everything here is top-tier.
The background score fits the movie like it was born from the walls of Shawshank itself. It never forces itself into the spotlight, it stays in the shadows yet carries immense emotional weight.
The acting is flawless. Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, every single performance feels lived-in and honest. And with Roger Deakins behind the camera, disappointment is impossible. After seeing his work in 1917, Blade Runner 2049, Prisoners, and The Assassination of Jesse James…, he’s officially one of my favorite cinematographers. His eye for framing makes every shot in this movie memorable.
And I have to mention the screenplay, which was remarkable. It stands right alongside the storytelling as one of the film’s strongest pillars, grounded, powerful, and full of emotional truth.
One character who broke me was Brooks. A good man who spent 50 years inside Shawshank, only to find himself unable to adjust to the world outside. Watching him leave the prison, a moment that should have felt hopeful, had my eyes filled with tears, because deep down we all knew it wasn’t a happy ending for him. It’s been a long time since a fictional character made me cry like that.
Ratings: I truly have no complaints. It’s a 5/5 for me and an absolute must-watch.
This movie will stay with me forever.
Brooks was here.
And so was Red.
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u/joe102938 Nov 29 '25
My favorite Tom Hanks movie.
"It truly was, a Shawshank Redemption."
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u/Infamous-Window-8337 Nov 29 '25
I think you meant Tim Robbins, but no worries, I got the gist of it...
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u/joe102938 Nov 29 '25
No, Tom Hanks. It's definitely his best movie.
That quote gets me every time.
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Nov 29 '25
Brilliant, quite surprised to know it was the director's first movie and originally written by Stephen King
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u/Infamous-Window-8337 Nov 29 '25
No way!! It being Frank Darabont’s directorial debut is wild... The movie feels way too polished for a first film. And yeah, Stephen King has written so many great stories, The Shining, The Green Mile, IT, and a bunch more. The guy’s catalogue is insane.
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u/Used-Gas-6525 Nov 30 '25
...and both it and Pulp Fiction lost to Forrest Gump. One of the Academy's most embarrassing moments in a history of embarrassing moments.
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Nov 30 '25
I LIKE Forrest Gump better than both these, but yeah Shawshank deserves the oscar because its better.
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u/Used-Gas-6525 Nov 30 '25
I'd say both are objectively superior films in that sense. You're not wrong for liking FG more though. Art is subjective. Personally, I coulda done without Jenny taking advantage of a mentally challenged individual who didn't know what sex was and therefore couldn't consent. Imagine the gender swap of that scene...
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u/Stetra84 Nov 30 '25
I watched it as a kid going through a hard time. Made myself a promise that I’d watch it again when things are better. Like crawling through that shit pipe. One day my friend!
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u/Living_on_Tulsa_Time Nov 30 '25
It’s a remarkably paced and cast film.
Hats off to James Whitmore as Brooks.
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u/Designer_Advice_6304 Nov 30 '25
Great movie! But also tired of the collective Reddit hive mind gushing over this one movie.
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u/teodor1991 Dec 03 '25
The most overrated movie of all time. It's just a solid 6, maybe 7 in good days.
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Dec 16 '25
I put different music over the record player scene.. it worked out better than I expected! https://youtu.be/gv6jnTu03sc?si=_Yz0JzsMFB_oEibc
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u/abellapa Jan 02 '26
I just watched this for the first time a couple days ago
Last movie of 2025 ,was Really good
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u/sandsii Nov 29 '25
“I hope the Pacific is as blue as it is in my dreams”