Combine the mastermind Stephen King, Academy Award-winner Tom Hanks, a couple of prison guards, four unique death- row inmates, a stow-away mouse and you have a formula for cinematic greatness. The Green Mile stretches past three hours, director Frank Darabont captures the audience with creative simplicity and a mystical adaptation of justice.
Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks) is the head guard of a southern prison. Every day he and his fellow guards walk the green mile. A hall named for the dark-green tile that forms the path to the electric chair. The inmates await their sentences behind bars, with only each other and the guards as company.
Told as a flashback, The Green Mile recounts the strange summer of 1935. Nineteen thirty-five brought Paul Edgecomb an excruciatingly painful urinary tract infection and brought John Coffey to death row.
Michael Clarke Duncan portrays John Coffey in his first starring role. Convicted for the murder of two young girls, Coffey, a massive seven-foot-tall man, still sleeps with the light on. His gentle nature seems to be in conflict with the nature of this crime.
As the summer continues, Eduard Del Delacroix (Michael Jeter) befriends a scavenging mouse who, as the mile’s pet, entertains both the guards and inmates during the long days and nights. The inhabitants of E-block witness more than simple mouse tricks when Coffey displays his supernatural abilities. Edgecomb begins to question how such awesome abilities can exist in a convicted criminal.
The film’s R rating is not wasted. Every one of the sentences is carried out in full before the eyes of the audience, but not until ample time has passed for a relationship between the viewer and the characters to form.
In short, the film combines the unexpected supernatural with the regimented nature of prison to capture the story of one man’s influence on those he touched. A miracle in such an oppressive place as death-row is especially appalling. For who expects to find miracles in a den of thieves and murderers.
Much Oscar buzz is being generated around this film. The fine writing and direction by King-collaraborator, Darabont as well as the acting of the experienced cast currently is drawing much attention from the academy. Of course, Hanks is in the running. First-time star, Duncan may also be in the running for his incredibly emotional performance.
While it may take a quick run through the parking lot to wake up the leg that fell asleep halfway through, you’ll have a fresh look at true justice and entertain the possibility of a miracle or two.
Some information for this story provided by Andrew L.F. Struckhoff
