I love the ending of Shawshank Redemption! I think it's brilliant the way that the camera pulls out to see all of the beach and the turquoise sea, just the way Andy has described it to Red. And the fact that neither of them say anything, and the audience are allowed to feel their happiness rather having it explained through dialogue. I always watch this movie when I'm feeling down, because the overriding message is one of hope, and it makes me feel happier about whatever is going on in my life.
The emotion at the end of the film is heightened by the scenario with Brooks almost being repeated with Red, and you are willing him to make something of himself. And bagging groceries doesn't count! A film doesn't need to make you cry in order to be extremely moving; I think that some of the best films leaving you smiling at the end after a rollercoaster, and Shawshank does exactly that.
I can't believe that this movie was slammed when it first came out in the theater, people said it was too long, and that the audience wouldn't get it, and then a few years later it was one of the most watched and loved films of all time, making number one of the top 250 films on IMDB.
