Pure Brilliance

Rating: 10/10 (17 November 2008)

And when I say that, I mean everything about this film is pure brilliance. The acting, the dialog, the direction, EVERYTHING. Surprisingly enough, the film and the novel by Stephen King walk hand-in-hand; it's one of the best book-to-movie creations I have ever seen. Michael Clark-Duncan and Tom Hanks give absolutely AMAZING performances; these are two very talented actors who give a depth and immortality to the characters they portray. It's very important as an actor to make the characters, even ones with bad lines, seem human and believable, and both Hanks and Clark-Duncan managed it effortlessly.
The movie is about Paul Edgecombe (Hanks), who works as a prison guard on death row, on a block called the Green Mile by it's inhabitants because of the lime-green colour of the floor. He's seen it all, sexual predators, victims of drink and a bad temper, simple cold-blooded murder, anything you can think of. Which is why he is so unnerved by John Coffey (Clark-Duncan), the simple-minded and monstrously huge man convicted of the rape and murder of two little girls. Coffey is gentle and possesses the mind of a child, and Edgecombe is doubtful that this sweet hulk could possibly be guilty of the crimes he is charged with. And when Coffey demonstrates his miraculous power to cure any illness, even death (if he's quick enough), Paul and the other guards of the Green Mile face a difficult decision; follow orders and execute John Coffey, or do what they can to preserve a miracle?
Of course, some scenes are predictable, and some clichés are in there, but hey, it's nearly impossible to do anything anymore without adding something that's been done before. The music and directing is beautiful and emotional. The acting and dialog is capable of inducing a steady flow of tears that won't end till after the credits have rolled. The Green Mile is a truly brilliant film -- I can't see why anybody wouldn't like it! Once more, pure brilliance.