A three hour immersion in narrative and characterisation, The Green Mile sets out to tell its story and tell it well. And, adapted from the Stephen King novel by writer/director Frank Darabont, it largely succeeds. How much you accept the gift of prisoner John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan) is a different matter.
Set in Death Row in a 1930s Louisiana prison, Coffey is sentenced to death for the murder of two young (white) girls. Senior guard Tom Hanks refuses to accept such a gentle giant could be guilty. Things come to head in the confines of the cells with the arrival of the psychotic Wild Bill Wharton (Sam Rockwell) and a sadistic guard (Doug Hutchison).
Interweaving home-life drama with the day-to-day of prison, Darabont creates a humane, manipulative spiritual renewal drama. As a social commentary, The Green Mile draws the viewer in but Coffey’s gift (no spoilers) pushes the limit.
Nominated for 4 Oscars in 2000 (best film, supporting actor – Michael Clarke Duncan, adapted screenplay, sound).
Rating: 59%
Director: Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Majestic)
Writer: Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Majestic) – based on the novel by Stephen King
Main cast: Tom Hanks (Philadelphia, Sully), Michael Clarke Duncan (Redemption Road, SIn City), Sam Rockwell (Moon, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri)
An Opinion or Two 