Inside and out, a beautifully sculpted movie with great life lessons.

Rating: 9/10 (23 May 2019)

I think that I am a little late to the party on this one. This movie has rightfully been acclaimed as a cinematic masterpiece for quite some time now. The naked viewers eye may not have caught everything that this sentimental film has to offer.
On the upper level of film analysis, we find the film very appealing to our physical senses. The basis of every great film is great writing. The film's dialogue rarely came out as cheesy, yet still carried an impactful punch. The conversations between characters always felt ernest. I found it easy to share the characters sentiments. Being someone who has worked in lock down systems such as prison, I can testify that the dialogue and writing was spot on. Something that should definitely be appreciated. 9.5/10 for writing.
Still on the upper level of film analysis, the cinematography was amazingly put to use. I have never liked it when strong color tints, over done close ups and wide outs, or crazy angles are used in film. Shawshank Redemption avoids the overuse of anything too drastic with its filming style. Perhaps a smidgen overuse of the slow-paced close up technique; however, for the most part this technique really works for the films dialogue. Most conversations in the movie tend to boil down to a simple thesis put at the end of the scene. It only makes sense that the cinematography matches the flow of conversation, by narrowing in to what the audience should specifically take away. 9.9/10 for cinematography
Set design is another component which was important to this particular story. It was important that there was a transition of color and feeling between each location in the film. This film truly puts the audience in locations of freedom and entrapment. 10/10
Editing and directing was spot on. The film felt well paced.
Now, for the lower level of film analysis (the deeper meaning). This film is a field of gold when it comes symbolism and life lessons if you ask me. This film is not only about redemption, hope, judgment, trial, captivity or freedom; it is also about the world we are uncontrollably born into. The film is sprinkled with symbolism towards birth into situations beyond our control.
The film is also a symbol of the life of Christ-- Andy being that sort symbol. For example, he is a sinless man put into suffering conditions for a crime someone committed. He is depicted as soft spoken and humble lamb who is led to slaughter. He creates his first service to his fellow inmates by supplying alcohol, a parallel to how Christ began his earthy ministry, turning water into wine at a wedding. He teaches others, he helps those who are his enemies, and he suffers at the hand of his rulers. One morning we find that his cell, the place he is to die someday, is empty- much like the tomb of Christ. He then finishes the movie by redeeming Red, the "only guilty man in Shawshank prison".
I could go on and on about these lower level film analytics. This movie is filled with all sorts of lessons which will shine through for different audience members.
Side note, I watched this movie on a editing system which took out F bombs and other foul language. For those who would only ever see this movie if edited, it is definitely worth it.