I commented on this movie elsewhere in which the theme of hope was lifted up. Thanks for focusing on this movie which I have heard called "a romantic movie for dudes"!

As a former pastor, I once did a sermon on...yes, hope. "The Shawshank Redemption" was my central illustration.

I love the scene in which Andy is released from solitary after his stunt with the record player. He joins his friends in the cafeteria. They wonder how he endured being in the hole.

He says to them, “That’s the beauty of music. They can’t get that from you. Haven’t you ever felt that way about music?”

Red replies, “I played a mean harmonica as a younger man. Lost interest in it though. Didn’t make much sense in here.”

Andy pursues the dialogue. “Here’s where it makes the most sense. You need it so you don’t forget.”

“Forget?”

“Forget that… there are places in this world that aren’t made out of stone. That there’s something inside… that they can’t get to, that they can’t touch. That’s yours.”

“What’re you talking about?”

“Hope.”

“Hope? Let me tell you something, my friend,” he says while wagging his spoon at him. “Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane. It’s got no use on the inside. [That is, prison.] You’d better get used to that idea.”

And then of course, there is the final sequence in which Red expresses his own "hopeful" desires.

“I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope…”

As one who hasn't read King's story, I appreciate your review of adaptation from the book to the film.

Thanks again!