The Green Mile is moving 1999 film directed by Frank Darabont, telling the tale of a young mans experiences as a guard on death row, through flashbacks we learn of one particularly special supernatural encounter with a prisoner called John Coffey. The story is adapted from the novel ‘The Green Mile’ by Stephen King, the story itself is brilliant but this film is one of my favourites because of its power. It doesn’t rush to get to exciting supernatural moments or gruesome death scenes in the chair, it introduces characters, and allows us to see intense and close relationships being built and eventually the ethical anguish Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks) has in sending Coffey down the Green Mile. Hank’s seamless & simplistic performance adds to this films brilliance, he effortlessly falls into a character we all can relate to and empathise with. Similarly with some of the prisoners we meet & a mouse! Mainly, of course, is John Coffey; an enormously built, black but incredibly gentle man. With a very simple mind and an amazing supernatural power to cure it’s impossible not to love him. Facing death after being charged with the rape & murder of two young girls he should be hated, but as we’re told the truth and faced with hard evidence of this mans compassion and will to help and save others it’s an inevitable tear jerker as he faces his ending despite being, as we believe, innocent. Darabont uses many close up shots which I love as they really show the raw emotion on the characters faces, you’re forced to feel the way they feel and begin to understand their situation, it also causes the audience to question personal beliefs, morals and ethics. The Stark contrast between grotesque executions and the way gentle emotions are portrayed in this film is amazing, there is some subtle yet slightly crude humour slipped in with Stanton, the tester of the electrocution equipment and obviously there is the use of the mouse to create a slight emotional let up. The film has an air of calm about it, there isn’t excessive special effects used, the supernatural element is so simple it is 100% believable and the executions, with the exception of the very lurid one gone wrong, are carried out calmly with out any excessive gore. It is a respectful and very realistic portrayal of death row. Despite the overall sad aura of the film, there is the twist at the end, which leaves us with a feeling of contentment after watching such an emotionally draining film! The fact that Edgecomb will live forever emphasises the fact that Coffey did have an impact even though what happened to him was totally unjust he still dies with hope in the world that it will get better and people will ‘stop being ugly’ to one another. This film is, in my eyes, a masterpiece not just an amazing story but a story told so well it actually impacts and affects people with it’s unique powerful approach to a tough subject.
