Takes a realistic story and adds a few miracles to the mix
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The story is of a prison guard, Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks), living and working in 1935. He works in the cells of people who are going to be executed. His co-workers are also his very good friends, with the exception of one.
Percy Wetmore (Doug Hutchison) got the job b/c his aunt owns the place. All the other guards and inmates hate him. Who cares if he's mean to the inmates? Paul does. He believes the inmates are about to pay the price for their crime, and they should be treated like human beings. He doesn't go out of his way to please them, but he is happy if they are learning their lesson in a peaceful way.
When John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan) enters the prison, the plot thickens. He is as big as a house, and all the guards fear him. Right away though, after talking to him for less than a minute, he seems like nothing to be feared. In fact he seems very sweet and innocent. It's easy to forget his size and see him as quite childlike.
John Coffey has little to do with anything for an hour or so. The plot instead focuses on some of the other prisoners. Soon 'Wild Bill' Wharton (Sam Rockwell) enters the prison. The guards were warned about him. He is just as wild as his name implies, and he creates quite a bit of trouble throughout the movie. Eventually we see what makes John Coffey so special, but I'll leave that mystery to you.
I've given away enough background info, and I believe giving any more plot will ruin the movie for you so I'll move on to other details.
The actors (mostly mentioned above) are all wonderful. They talk and act as if they were really in the south in 1935. Sam Rockwell never flinches when playing the crazy inmate that he portrays, and Michael Clarke Duncan stays in character the entire time. He seems innocent and all without appearing overly stupid or acting babyish.
The setting was also fantastic. The houses, the prison, and even the fields look like they belong in that time period. It is very easy to feel like you are there.
The beginning starts off kind of weird. I had no idea what was going on for the first 20 minutes or so. There were people running around with guns. Then there was an old folks home. It was hard to understand, but don't give up, it will be explained after about 20 minutes.
The moral is very apparent. You definitely learn a lesson in this movie. I would tell you what it was but it would probably ruin it for you.
Everything I've said so far is very realistic, it all could have happened. There are also some miraculous things going on. That is what makes this movie so great. It takes something completely realistic (prison life in 1935) and throws in a little magic. Just a little though, not too much. It's the perfect amount of magic. Enough to make you believe it could happen without turning the movie into a fantasy.
This movie is based on a book by Stephen King. Unlike most of his books that have been turned movies, The Green Mile is not overly graphic. On the other hand, it is like most of his books turned movies in that it keeps you interested all the way to the end. There is also some of that dry Stephen King humor that some people may miss. I did have a few laughs in this movie, and I think you all will too.
Check out this movie, if not for the actors, for the lesson it provides. My friend and I talked through the whole movie, trying to figure out what was going on. If you have friends like us, you may want to watch it alone. I like talking it out, but I would have liked it just as much if we watched in silence. Whatever you choose just watch and Enjoy!
Last edited on Mar 17, 2008
The Green Mile is recommended by vivasuzi
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