Rating: 
Summary: Hard to find a flaw
Review: "Sometimes the green mile seems so long," an aged Paul Edgecomb laments at the film's end. I would have to say that this aptly describes my sentiments during some of the drawn-out stretches of this movie. However, besides it's length, The Green Mile is an otherwise extremely laudable work, displaying the best of cast and crew alike. Though the screenplay was written and directed by Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption), The Green Mile is distinctly Stephen King, the story's author. This means you can expect a sharp plot line, emotionally tumultuous scenes, and novel characters so vivid that each is a story in itself. It goes without saying then, that the screenplay was a very true adaptation of the 6-part novel by King, the most accurate of any King work. The film begins in the modern day with an old Paul Edgecomb (Dabbs Greer from Little House) accounting his past as a prison guard on the "green mile," the colorful name given to death row at Coal Mountain Prison in Louisiana. Though the movie has a slow start (which didn't particularly bother me - it's well-suited for the film), we quickly find ourselves in the mid-depression south, 1935, where the main story takes place. John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), a gargantuan black man with a child's mind, is arrested for a crime too deplorable to mention. He finds himself on Cell Block-E, headed by Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks), awaiting electrocution by "Old Sparky," the name given to the electric chair. (Yes, in a King story even inanimate objects are memorable characters.) Edgecomb quickly realizes that Coffey's nature doesn't match the heinousness of the crime he is accused of. What ensues is the relationship that develops between Edgecomb and Coffey, who seems to have an extraordinary gift - the power of healing. He starts with Edgecomb himself, healing his painful urinary tract infection, and then moves on to Mr. Jingles, the film's little mascot, a mouse that takes a liking to one of the inmates. Mice? Supernatural? Don't fret. Darabont successfully interlaces these seemingly unbelievable scenes so as to make them almost unnoticeable. What is less than subtle are the parallels between John Coffey and another famous J.C. from history, but this is typical of King's and Darabont's work together (Shawshank certainly had its spiritually metaphorical moments). There are two kinds of King movies, the sick-beyond-sick films (such as Pet Sematary), and the more dramatic, Oscar-type efforts (Stand By Me, Shawshank). Though of the latter breed, you'll still get a taste of the trademark disturbed King in the Mile - specifically in a 3-minute death scene, an execution in Old Sparky that goes nightmarishly wrong. (Not for the faint of heart.) The entire sequence is set off by the childish prison guard Percy Wetmore (Doug Hutchison) who does as good a job as any antagonist ever at making us hate him. In fact, by the end of this movie you'll find yourself wishing for a fate worse than death for the little brat. (Be patient.) All-in-all the chemistry between the prison guards (Hanks, David Morse, Barry Pepper, Jeffrey DeMunn) is admirable as well as believable. This camaraderie culminates in their plan to sneak J.C. out of his cell for a special healing. This is the one incident I would call "a little too much" in terms of plot. Something more believable could've been used to accomplish the same plot purposes. The positives are plentiful. For one, we now have a new star, Michael Clarke Duncan. He gave an emotional (though at times a little over-done) portrayal of Coffey; you'll fall in love with him from the get-go. Though there isn't a weak casting choice (hats off to Mali Finn), Duncan dominates the movie with his loveable character. The characters are as only King could conjure. Even in the few brief cameo moments we have with Gary Sinise we feel as though we have known him and his family for years. Also distinctly King? Mr. Jingles, the amiable mouse that frequents the green mile. Who else could successfully weave a mouse into an otherwise somber prison movie? Less than extraordinary are the bookmark present-day scenes, bracketing the beginning and ending of the movie. We see this in all the latest epics, don't we? Titanic, Saving Private Ryan, etc. It's overdone. Though it's far less annoying in the Mile than in Titanic, I found these flash-forwards to be even more unnecessary. They serve no discernable purpose. It could have been worse, however, since Darabont wisely wrote out a character from the modern-day segment, an orderly that was harassing the old Edgecomb (included as a typological Percy in King's original work). And finally, the one element missing that could have made this film that much more memorable would have been good music. Thomas Newman (American Beauty, Erin Brockovich) did not produce a score worthy of the cinematography. Zimmer or Horner would have been far superior options. Final word? Don't miss the Mile. It's an emotionally charged movie that may even be a little underdone (in a positive sense), something very rare in today's over-the-top flicks. But be prepared for a long sit and a few tears. The Mile hits you where it hurts, in seeing injustice done to the bearer of truth. Of course you'll also see the best side of Stephen King, and we, like Paul Edgecomb, will see that miracles can happen anywhere.
Rating:
Summary: A testament to humanity and a fine story
Review: Starring Tom Hanks as a death-row prison guard in 1935, and written by Stephen King, this is an example of story-telling at its finest. My most frequent criticism of films is that they tend to be overlong, but The Green Mile, at a three full hours, needed every precious second in order to pace the story, develop its characters, and lead the viewer into the satisfying conclusion. Despite some gruesome scenes depicting the details of electric chair execution, the film is a testament to the humanity of people. The audience gets to experience the stress of the responsibility of prison guards seeking to bring a bit of dignity to the last days of the convicted men, and we share their moral dilemma when they are faced with hard choices. Michael Clarke Duncan, cast as the simple and honest black man sentenced to die for supposedly killing two little girls, is absolutely superb and was nominated for an academy award for his outstanding performance. He's 43 years old, 6'5" tall and a former ditch digger and bodyguard. He has the rare quality to be able to show emotion in a way that makes the audience understand the complexities of his character. Tom Hanks, of course, is excellent, giving us the kind of fine performance we have come to expect of him. And the rest of the cast, including Michael Jeter as the villain, and David Morse as a fellow prison guard are perfect. There is also a small cameo role for Gary Sinese as the Louisiana prosecutor who believes in the guilt of the supposed killer. Directed by Frank Darabont who also shared the scripting of this film with Stephen King, every scene is constructed with just the right amount of tension to keep the viewer glued to the screen. There was not one wasted moment. But by no means is this a simple "wrongly-accused killer" film. There's a slight suspension of reality well integrated into the story line. And constant thought-provoking questions that stay with you long after the video is over. Unless you are the kind of person who absolutely can't bear some heart-wrenching brutal scenes, don't miss this video. I give it my highest rating.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Serial Novel and Outstanding Film Adaptation
Review: Darabont followed up his brilliant adaptation of King's Shawshank novella with this brilliant adaptation of the serial novels "The Green Mile." I actually saw the movie prior to reading the book, and was absolutely amazed at how closely the movie follows the book. If anything, the movie adds material instead of excising it. The only subplot that the film fails to explore has to do with a cruel nursing home staff member who is practically abusive to the main character. Otherwise, what you find in the serial, you find in the film. The characters are all incredibly memorable and brilliantly cast. Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan steal the show, while David Morse, Bonnie Hunt, James Cromwell, Michael Jeter, Barry Pepper, Patricia Clarkson, Sam Rockwell, Doug Hutchison, and Harry Dean Stanton fill out the supporting roles with enough depth for four films. Although the story has supernatural elements, the key to the story are the human interactions--Hanks' sensitivity to the needs of prisoners condemned to die in Louisiana's electric chair, and the twist ending that manages to give all of the true "bad guys" their just desserts (and not all of those bad guys are the ones in the cells). Perhaps the best of all of the King adaptations, the Green Mile will make you laugh and make you cry, but most of all, it will make you CARE.
Rating: 
Summary: Indepth look to HOW BAD our world!!!
Review: This is one of the most powerful and brutal movie you'll come across as the story goes on in the worst jail based in the 30s. The greatness of this movie and ending scenes are exhilerating and a bit confusing, but in other words this is a must see if you've already watched a movie called Shawshank Redemption. This was one of my all time favourites and the type you'd want to watch over and over, a classic.
Rating:
Summary: Fine prison drama
Review: The story unfolds in a Death Row ward in the 30s, where a giant black inmate who has been convicted of killing two little white girls (Michael Clarke Duncan) is delivered into the care of supervisor Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks) and his staff of decent, hard-working prison guards (David Morse, Jeffrey DeMunn, Barry Pepper). It soon becomes clear that this inmate is not what he seems and that the Green Mile (so named for its green floor tiles) has become the unlikely setting for a time of miracles and wonder that will deeply affect everyone involved. Many of the plot elements are predictable (for example, I could guess almost everything that would happen to the mouse, Mr. Jingles, as soon as he appeared on screen, and I knew how the whole sub-plot with the warden's wife would develop). However, this did not ruin the movie for me. I didn't foresee the outcome of Paul's story, which ends the film on a perfectly melancholy and elegiac note. In addition, the film is so well-made and the cast so perfectly chosen that, even when I knew what was going to happen, I looked forward to seeing how it would play out in the hands of writer/director Frank Darabont and his wonderful cast. I can't end this review without mentioning the amazing performance of Doug Hutchinson as the vile, aptly named Percy Wetmore.
Rating:
Summary: Words cannot describe the power of this film
Review: Normally, films degenerate the books to be general. Stephen King's powerful book was turned into a fantastic, moving, and thought - provoking cinematic experience starring Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, David Morse, Sam Rockwell and Barry Pepper. Tom Hanks plays a kind prison guard called Paul Edgecomb. During the Depression, John Coffey (played superbly by Michael Clarke Duncan) comes to 'the Green Mile', convicted of murder.
I don't want to spoil the rest of the film for anyone who hasn't seen it but it is about the power of healing and the moral question of the death penalty. Tom Hanks has always been a constant actor who always delivers. But in this film, he becomes Paul Edgecomb.He plays the part perfectly. Special mention must go to Michael Clarke Duncan. Many Black actors stick to the same ghetto rules (exceptions being Cuba Gooding Jnr and Denzel Washington) but Michael Clarke Duncan has broken out of this and with his performance in this proves that he can play deep and meaningful characters. Sam Rockwell was great in this film. After seeing him in this, I always make sure I look out for him in films. He played a deranged maniac in this and just defined the word 'psycho'. Give this film a chance. It seems long and moralistic but there are no evident religious tones to it and the acting, script is done brilliantly. Watch out for Percy!
Rating: 
Summary: A Total Disaster
Review: I really felt disgusted several times while I was watching this movie. What's so good about seeing somebody fry on the electric chair!!?? I can't believe how the editorial reviewer put it, "masterfully and grippingly staged". The whole setup of the movie is so disgusting and depressing: a doped guy with saliva runing from his mouth, a prisoner fussing around a mouse, a lunatic guard that gets pleasure out of killing, and to top it all off, a guy coughing up bugs. I think that "mastefully and grippingly nauseating" would be more like it. I wonder if this movie is frequently watched in nursing homes.
Rating:
Summary: A Powerful Journey
Review: It was very easy for many cynical reviewers to rip this movie apart. After all the story is episodic. The portrayal of the prisoners unfair since it lets us feel great sympathy for them not having seen their crimes. It could also be argued that John Coffey's miracle scenes were overstated with unneccesary special effects. But how can I sit here and analyise the faults of a movie that brought to tears to my eyes. John Coffey, as played by Micheal Clarke Duncan in a beautiful performance, is a man who physically feels the pain of the wrongs people do to each other. "I am tired of all the uglyness people do to each other", he is a man who feels the pain of all humanity's wrong doings. His size is symbolic of that, expressing years of absorbed pain. Now tired, constantly in tears, all he wants in the world is the ability to "take it back", undo everyone else's wrongs. The Green Mile contains another pleasant surprise, Tom Hanks. After a last couple of years of playing characters with no edge, his Paul Edgecomb is a moraly conflicted man capable of violence, revenge and guilt. Welcome back Tom. Amazing how this film balances all the different tones it does. One particular sequence involving the rehearsal of an execution will have you laughing out loud, only to be in shocked disbeleif at the actual execution just minutes later. A point of contention about this film is the nessecity of the present day framing sequences, and although I usually don't like this device, I think it works well here giving the story a larger scope, magnifying the effects of John Coffey. Frank Darabont's last film was The Shawshank Redemption, one of the best films of the 1990s and obviously a hard act to follow. The Green Mile is not as good as that, but it is a moving, powerful and unique film in its own right. Don't miss this.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing movie- Green Mile.
Review: I'v never saw this kind of movies, before i watch the Green Mile.
A realistic movie, that includes also the script writer's imagination.
A man, called, John Coffey, a gentle giant of a prisoner with supernatural powers, brings a sense of spirit and humanity to his guards and fellow inmates.
I enjoyed every moment of this film.
I love to see the relationships between the prisoners to the jailors.
A perfect acting with amazing actors, such as Tom Hanks.
I recommend for everyone who hasn't seen already the movie, to watch it as soon as possible.
Enjoy your film!
Rating:
Summary: There doesn't seem to be words adequate enough...
Review: But, oh, there really are. There is rarely a movie (or a novel) today that moves me to tears. The Green Mile is one of them. Stephen King strays from his usual genre of vampires, telekinesis, evil clowns, clairvoyance, and whatnot to a heartwrenching story about the human spirit, right vs. wrong, good vs. evil, and conscience. Never have I experienced a screenplay that rivaled a novel's brilliance. When he wrote the screenplay and then directed it, Frank Darabont did the world of Stephen King justice and then some. This movie came together with an extraordinary cast - Tom Hanks taking on the role of one of the central characters, Paul Edgecomb, and Michael Clarke Duncan taking on the role of the other, John Coffey. The supporting cast thereafter is marvelously deep & talented with the likes of Bonnie Hunt, David Morse, Barry Pepper, Michael Jeter, Sam Rockwell, Doug Hutchinson, Patricia Clarkson, James Cromwell, Graham Green & a small role by (one of my many personal favorites) Gary Sinise, each giving an Oscar-worthy performance.
Truly, the shining gem in this DVD package is the movie itself. If you haven't seen it, please do, and you will probably agree with me. If you have seen it, you most likely know what I'm talking about. But as an added bonus, there is a behind-the-scenes documentary called 'Walking the Mile' included. In this time you will be taken inside the world of The Green Mile with snippets of conversation from most of the cast as well as from Frank Darapont and Stephen King. Mr. Jingles even makes an appearance! The only complaint I had about the extra footage was that it didn't last long enough! So, the long and short of it is that The Green Mile is time and money worth spent. If I could, I would give it ten stars... aw heck, I will anyway...
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