I've been content to lurk and learn on this web site for months, but after reading the reams of glowing critiques of this film, I felt obligated to get an IMDB account and print a contrary point of view.

The Shawshank Redemption is an obvious, thinly characterized, visually uncompelling film. Whether it's the good guy/bad guy cliche or the white guy/black guy cliche, it's still the same old Hollywood.

This is not a film which discovers life through enigmas, dilemmas, and reflections. It is a film which wears its rather plain message on its sleeve.

3 out of 10. For prison flicks try Dancer in the Dark. Someone else recommended alternative prison flicks Kiss of the Spider Woman and Cool Hand Luke. I heartily agree with those choices.