THE GREEN MILE

"The Green Mile" is a fantastic tale that fuses the cinematic skills of writer/director Frank Darabont with Stephen King’s narrative gifts like nature’s elements. Once combined, they have an unmistakable quality that revels in man’s humanity and celebrates his capacity for compassion. Like their previous outing, "The Shawshank Redemption," "The Green Mile" is about a group of men trying to bring a level of civility to their prison surroundings. A playful narrative that dwells on a urinary infection, and some surprise twists that revolve around the supernatural gifts of a condemned prisoner may drive the story forward, but the key to the film’s success, as in "Shawshank," is the memorable ensemble of full blooded heroes and villains brought to life by a phenomenal cast.

Paul Edgecombe (Tom Hanks) tries to bring a touch of dignity to the last days of the condemned men on Cell Block E with a measure of kindness. His squad, played by and David Morse, Barry Pepper, and Jeffrey DeMunn, are all pros and not above using force if necessary, even against one of their own, like newcomer, the whiny, sadistic Percy Wetmore (Doug Hutchinson). He’ll do anything to make the prisoners’ lives miserable and relishes the idea of seeing them fry in the electric chair, especially Cajun Edward DeLacroix who discovers a sense of purpose with an acrobatic mouse called Mr. Jingles. John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan) is a giant of a black man whose gentility makes him an unlikely candidate for execution. He is accused of a heinous murder of two young girls. The relationships of the guards to each other and criminals of Cell Block E are constantly put to the test by confrontations that reach fever pitch with the speed of a flash flood, brutal executions, and a series of miracles that seem to make time stand still. "The Green Mile" is book-ended by an elder Edgecombe (Dabbs Greer - the preacher from "The Little House on the Prairie" TV series) who tells his story in flashback from the arrival of John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan) - and ends with his self imposed retirement. Sam Rockwell stands out as Wild Bill Wharton, a frail looking sociopath who turns out to be more dangerous than the mountainous Coffey.

Michael Clarke Duncan creates a sympathetic portrait of a simple man unable to express himself except through the use of his miraculous gifts. Coffey is treated like a Christ-like figure (his initials are J.C.) whose presence forces Edgecombe to re-examine the rhyme and reason of his own life that lead to some wonderful moments with his wife (Bonnie Hunt). He then tries to use Coffey to help others, but yet can’t help him. The implication is that Coffey’s a black man dying for the white man’s sins. But the men who need saving the most are never repentant and left to suffer for their sins. The racial climate of the story’s time and place - Louisiana in the thirties - seems in retrospect to be no more than a plot device that guarantees a predetermined outcome to support a new set of twists and turns that bring "The Green Mile" up to date with Edgecombe’s final days. Like the days are long and the years are short, I was whisked through the vignettes that made up Edgecombe’s life in the shortest three hours and ten minutes I have spent in a movie theater in along time, making "The Green Mile" one of my year end favorites.

Copyright 2000

"Resurrection" (1980) - In my opinion, an underrated masterpiece with Ellen Burstyn as a free spirited woman who survives a near death experience only to discover she has healing powers. This doesn’t sit well with her rural neighbors who think she may be an instrument of the devil. A scene where the woman is put under the figurative microscope by doctors and scientists to cure another woman’s withered body still sends chills down my spine. Writer John Louis Carlino researched the life of a documented healer for his screenplay.

"I Want to Live" (1958) Robert Wise directed Susan Hayward to her Oscar winning performance as the real life prostitute and thief, Barbara Graham, who - according to the movie - is wrongly convicted of murder and dies in the gas chamber. The first film to depict the step by step process of death in the gas chamber. Great movie. Dabbs Greer, from, "The Green Mile," is in the supporting cast.

"Dead Man Walking" (1995) - Chilling and heart breaking tale of a nun’s fight to help a condemned man find redemption. Tells everyone’s side of the story, including the parents of two murdered youths. Outstanding direction by Tim Robbins s with an Oscar winning performance by Susan Sarandan. Sean Penn has never been better, with great support from R. Lee Ermey, Robert Prosky, Lois Smith and Celia Watson among others.

"The Shawshank Redemption" (1994) Frank Darabont’s adaptation of Stephen King’s short story, Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption. Tim Robbins is sent to prison for a crime he may or may not have committed, learns to survive and brings a touch of humanity to the lives of some hardened criminals. With Morgan Freeman and William Sadler who has a cameo as the father whose daughters are murdered in "The Green Mile." Even after you know all the twists and turns, it’s the characters full development that makes you want to see this again - and again - and….

"The Big House" (1930) Just because it’s considered the first great prison movie. With Wallace Beery, Chester Morris (who became Boston Blackie in the 40’s) and Robert Montgomery. Oscar winner for its screenplay.

Keep an eye out for reruns of Rod Serling’s Night Gallery Shows and an episode called "The Sin Eaters" with Richard Thomas. It’s a medieval tale based on an H.P. Lovecraft story about the passing of one’s sins to another through an orgiastic ritual on a master’s death bed. It shares a concept with "The Green Mile."