Rating of
3/4
The Green Mile (1999)
MovieAddict - wrote on 01/20/12
As in the "Shawshank Redemption," Frank Darabont creates another brilliant transformation of a Stephen King novel onto the big screen with an award nominating success. Although "The Green Mile" is three hours long, it is a film that presents numerous interesting character studies that induce strong emotions for the various characters.
Tom Hanks turns in a great performance as Paul Edgecomb, a man who is tough, hard, and duty conscious and at the same time compassionate and human. The film deals with a massive death row inmate in 1935 Louisiana played by Michael Clarke Duncan (in an Oscar nominated performance) who is charged with the murders of two small girls. It is clear from the start that this man is not evil or dangerous at all, in fact he is blessed with the power to heal. The supernatural powers stood out strangely in a film that otherwise seemed to be dedicated to harsh reality, but I suspect that was intentional, for contrast, and it worked.
The Green Mile is a very powerful and moving film. It's one of my favorite films along with The Shawshank Redemption. Percy played majestically by Doug Hutchison is the guy you'll love to hate, while David Morse is excellent as Paul’s co-worker Brutus "Brutal" Howell but the real breakout is Michael Clarke Duncan who is truly amazing as John Coffey. The next time I go by a pet store, though, I might not be able to resist going in to buy myself a mouse and start a little "Mouseville"....
