Movie Review: The Green Mile

March 10, 2000

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This movie has Oscar nomination written all over it. The director, Frank Darabont who also directed Shawshank Redemption, is among the greatest directors in movies. With a cast that star's Tom Hanks, the perennial favorite of the Academy, this movie sets high expectations and delivers to audiences.

The Green Mile, based on Stephen King's novel, transforms surprisingly well into a feature film considering King's novel usually turn into a mess in the midst of transition. Instead the result is a three hour epic that is wonderfully narrated film.

Tom Hanks portrays Paul Edgecomb, a prison guard supervisor on death row during The Great Depression. During that time, a death sentence meant electrocution and as such, Edgecomb's cellblock, "The Green Mile", is quite a busy place.

However, Paul is a compassionate guy despite having a bladder infection that makes him urinate razorblades. He treats prisoners humanely although the same is not true of all his coworkers.

Enter John Coffey (Michael Duncan) who is a very big boy convicted of a bad deed. Without spoiling anything, let's just say he's a gentle giant with a gift, which contradicts his conviction.

This film will likely yield several well-deserved Oscar nominations. The performances and sheer craft in this film are virtually flawless. It is not quite on the same level as The Shawshank Redemption or Forrest Gump but it's a very well made movie. More important is the compelling story; despite the 3 hour length, the movie easily absorbs its audience.

Although there's no point in the movie tha is boring, the length still remains a flaw. I recommend skipping the bladder buster sized beverage at the concession stand. This is not the prototypical "guy movie", however, it is a great film and well worth seeing.

To read more about these films and other summer movies, check out our Top 10 Summer Movie Picks.

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