And how exactly would Shawshank have been handled differently to make it a "better" film? I've always loved this film, so I have to take issue with some of the comments thrown at it. I often assume that people who dislike this kind of film has a short attention span and can't appreciate a good drama film, but I want to try not to do that here.
I thought it would have benefitted from a serious injection of subtlety. I was not surprised by many of the plot turns or the message of redemption; I thought it executed the "feel-good" formula well, but it's still a formula. I also thought it could do with some trimming, as I found parts uninvolving. That said, I don't think it's a bad movie at all; I gave it 4/5 stars. I consider it overrated because it's now listed as
the #1 MOVIE OF ALL TIME on imdb, ahead of THE GODFATHER, CASABLANCA, SCHINDLER'S LIST, LA DOLCE VITA, CITIZEN KANE, THE SEVEN SAMURAI... all movies I admire, many dramas that require a long attention span.
I just don't "get" why so many people have fallen in love with this movie. Perhaps you can explain why you think it deserves to be in that kind of company (if you think it does).
It's been number 1 there for a long while. Once in a while,
Godfather claims it, but eventually it's back to
Shawshank. Personally Shawshank is my favorite 'movie' in the sense of it's a drama, well produced, etc. Usually I am more interested in horror, comedy, so and so. B-Movies, etc. The other movies you named, like
Casablanca,
Citizen Kane, etc., I have zero interest in. While I'm not debating they're better (most likely are, I"m just not interested), I do agree with Shawshank being in the top 10 or so of all time.
I loved Shawshank and felt it was done perfectly. Didn't feel it dragged at all and had good performances. And I'm a guy who doesn't like Tim Robbins.