beamish14 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 14, 2023 7:09 pm
I’ve always had a pet theory that
Shawshank’s immense popularity can be attributed to it being a weepie aimed at men.
Yet women also really love this film. Past girlfriends, aunts, female colleagues...they have all mentioned it as a favorite. There is something about men in prison that is fascinating/moving to a sizable section of the female viewing public. The show
Oz, the reality show
Lockup, and other male-centric prison based movies score pretty well with female viewers.
Shawshank touches on some of the harsh realities but with a patina of hope and reassurance that gives it re-watchability and a saintly glow that sits well with more mainstream film fans of both sexes. It's the kind of film that the popcorn movie crowd includes on a list of favorites as the weightier choice.
And it's a good film. I would choose it over that year's Best Picture winner, but I'm really surprised there isn't more love/respect for that other Best Picture nominee from 1994:
Quiz Show. It's almost forgotten. Paul Attanasio's script, and I say this with no intended hyperbole, is one of the best ever. A small footnote in media history made into an entertaining treatise on integrity, fame, and how television became the Pied Piper of corporate/political interests. Career-best performance from Turturro. Fiennes at the top of his game. Outstanding supporting performances from Scofield, Paymer, Azaria, and Johann Carlo. Scorsese having some fun in his small role. Rob Morrow is also very good despite an exaggerated Boston accent on a few lines. Easily Redford's best film as a Director. Can we get a freaking blu ray release of this already?