[darby_nine]

My criticism of Shawshank redemption is indeed particularly in response to it being placed number one on the IMDB list of greatest movies of all time. I believe people ranked it there as a result of emotional catharsis rather than ranking based on whether a movie best realized its potential, and I think my response is validated: the script for Shawshank redemption could have portrayed the characters as more three-dimensional than as recorded.

I've never read the book, but perhaps this criticism applies to the book as well. King certainly has a tendency to push fetishized characteristics that take the place of earnest characterization. This is certainly true of the Stand, the Dark Tower series, the Shining, Insomnia, Green Mile, and probably many others of his works. This is not an original take. See one popular opinion here: http://strangehorizons.com/non-fiction/articles/stephen-king...

[shiroiushi]

Of course, many of King's stories do seem to push "fetishized characteristics" as you call them: in The Shining, Danny had the power to "shine". In Green Mile, the protagonist had a magical healing ability. But what characteristics did the characters in Shawshank have? Both seemed fairly well-rounded to me, and certainly didn't have any supernatural abilities (which is one thing that set Shawshank apart from many King stories).

[sph]

I do not need to read an opinion to know what to think about The Shawshank Redemption. I can think for myself.

I like the movie, it's one of my favourite films of all time, and I am sorry you feel I and a large contingent of people are misguided because they have a different opinion than yours or your favourite critic's.

I have rewatched it in the past 6 months BTW.