Good Movie, But

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Grandpa

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Mar 2, 2014
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Colorado
Honestly, while Tim Robbins is a big guy, I never once though, "He should be smaller to be able to do that stuff."

Just for me: When a story doesn't have my complete attention, that's when my mind can wander into I'm Not Buying That Part land. The first four times I saw Star Wars in 1977, not that it made an impact, was a great example of glaring story blemishes and silliness being subsumed by the enjoyment of the tale.

Shawshank, the same thing. I snapped at the offering, hook, line, and sinker, and got reeled in, gasping at the end, going, "Okay, that was worth it."



In reading about the movie, if one believes Wikipedia, Rob Reiner had wanted to direct the movie, casting Tom Cruise as Andy and Harrison Ford as Red. Mr. Cruise has the short and wiry build that could more easily fit through a prison tunnel and sewer, but I am doggoned glad that the movie didn't go that route.
 

Lord Tyrion

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Oct 24, 2013
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I disagree. Andy being able to
escape like he did was improbable. I always wondered how he would have reacted if sewage pipe had been barred off at the stream and how he knew it was completely open. lol But I don't think nit picking too much is good for watching fiction.

The only thing that bugged me, was all the sewage coming out of the pipe when Andy cracked it open. There would not have been enough sewage and pressure for the sewage to spill out like that.

This film is one of my favorite films. I'm glad I saw it in the theater when it came out. Every time it's on cable, I tend to watch it.
 

Zone D Dad

Well-Known Member
Apr 17, 2017
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Chicago Suburbs
In reading about the movie, if one believes Wikipedia, Rob Reiner had wanted to direct the movie, casting Tom Cruise as Andy and Harrison Ford as Red. Mr. Cruise has the short and wiry build that could more easily fit through a prison tunnel and sewer, but I am doggoned glad that the movie didn't go that route.

I'm reasonably sure that Rob Reiner would've done it justice and I can even get behind Harrison Ford as Red. Tom Cruise? That just feels wrong. I'll admit that he's surprised me in a good way before (I think he's brilliant in Interview with the Vampire for example), but I don't think he exudes the right disposition for the role of Andy.

This said - I love the Shawshank film and am thankful that it worked out as it did. It put Darabont firmly on the map and thanks to that we got The Green Mile film and The Walking Dead. I wanted to love The Mist more, but that's a topic for another thread. I'd love to see what he could do with other SK adaptations.
 
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