Brubaker (1980)

Robert Redford is Brubaker, a new inmate at the horrible-in-every-way Wakefield Prison. The food is full of maggots, the building is falling down, the fellow prisoners are a constant threat, and the guards are even worse. Brubaker is sharp -- he quickly learns who's got the power, how the system works, and how to survive in the place. And then Brubaker reveals that he's not inmate Brubaker, but warden Brubaker -- the guy who's a-gonna clean up this here mess.

The thing is, I've seen it all before. It's not the film's fault, but it's lost the power I'm sure it had (especially as the story's based in fact) during its theatrical run 25+ years ago. The performances are strong but, sadly, the horror in the prison just isn't that shocking to the jaded residents of the 21st century. People in prison are bad -- and those in charge of keeping them there are usually pretty bad too. I learned that from Shawshank.

B-