I saw The Green Mile on HBO about a week ago. It’s another movie that I ended up liking it a lot. Of course, a movie with Tom Hanks in it can usually be counted on to be reasonably good.
THE PLOT. Stephen King wrote ’’The Green Mile’’ which was a story that was spread out over 6 books. This movie was based on that story. It is about a large, gentle, simple-minded black man who is convicted murdering 2 little white girls during the Depression. He is sent to death row, which everyone calls The Green Mile since the hall that leads to old sparky is green. His name is John Coffey, like the drink but spelt different. And he has a special gift of healing which he demonstrates on the head prison guard who has a bladder infection. And it is a mighty rude awakening. It gets very interesting as John Coffey heals other people and a pet of a fellow inmate, a field mouse named Mister Jingles. It set in the depression which lends a certain flavor to the film; one of sadness, isolation, and a certain-I don’t know-innocence (?). A couple of inmates were executed before Coffey was. A few days before his execution, Coffey cures another person.
The Actors and Direction. Michael Clarke Duncan plays John Coffey who is convicted of murder. Duncan does a very convincing job of portraying this man. You like him from the beginning and feel compassion for him right off.
Tom Hanks plays the head prison guard in this movie. For the life of me, I can never remember this character name. He’s the one that John Coffey cures. Both he and his wife are extremely ‘grateful that his wife sends Coffey some of her homemade cornbread.
Both men give wonderful performances in this movie. And direction was great. The movie moved forward in a good, smooth progression. It was easy to follow and understand. There was never a dull moment in this movie. It had suspense, action, and even an occasional laugh, especially with two of the meaner characters in the story.
The Green Mile was excellent and I plan on seeing it the next time it comes on.