Brubaker (1980)

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1. 

   demet

   "That's murder they're talking about in there. And if they condone it, how are you gonna turn around and tell these guys why they're locked up?" Brilliant quote. 9 years 9 months ago
2. 

   Siskoid

   What seems to be the hook in Brubaker, the idea of a new prison warden first going undercover as an inmate to get a real sense of its conditions, is a fabrication in what is otherwise a fictionalized, all names changed, account of warden Tom Murton's experience at a penal farm in Arkansas. Thing is, the undercover mission doesn't feel like the most far-fetched thing in the movie, as corruption is uncovered at all levels. What is especially interesting to me is the stuff we never see in prison movies - the prison board's own corruption, and how business owners have been taking advantage of the inmates to increase their profits. It's all very folksy and local here, but this is very close to what happens with "for profit" prisons run by the public sector, and remains quite relevant. Robert Redford is of course an affable hero, just trying to give the inmates their humanity back but up against systemic problems that are bigger than him (as was the case for Murton). Could have done without the trite ending (which I can't believe happened in the real world), but absorbing until then. And yes, check it out for young(er) Morgan Freeman as a man going crazy in solitary confinement. 4 years 1 month ago
3. 

   Emiam

   7/10
   
   Reality-based story. Exciting continuously, good dialogue and good acting.
   Fun with Morgan Freeman in an early role! 6 years ago

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