McCheesy's take on "The Green Mile"

Rating: 10/10 (5 September 2008)

Paul Edgecomb is a slightly cynical veteran prison guard on Death row in the 1930's. His faith, and sanity, deteriorated by watching men live and die, Edgecomb is about to have a complete turn around in attitude. Enter John Coffey, He's eight feet tall. He has hands the size of waffle irons. He's been accused of the murder of two children... and he's afraid to sleep in a cell without a night-light. And Edgecomb, as well as the other prison guards - Brutus, a sympathetic guard, and Percy, a stuck up, perverse, and violent person, are in for a strange experience that involves intelligent mice, brutal executions, and the revelation about Coffey's innocence and his true identity.
This one right here is a cinematic gem hands-down. Frank Darabont created such a sad sad story believe it or not folks, I cried like a leaked faucet. Such event occurs only on a blue moon so I guess this film holds a special place in my deep, dank heart. What made this film really stand out is that the director, Frank Darabont used contrasting plot elements and combined them seamlessly. In this case, the plot device of miracles and faith healing (during the Depression era in the States) which was perfectly embodied by Michael Clarke Duncan as John Coffey, the Death Row inmate who possesses a special gift of faith healing. The other contrasting element is the backdrop of the story, a jailhouse wing managed by Tom Hank's character Paul Edgecomb. An unlikely situation in an unlikely place, a combination that worked within the film.
Excellent performances from Tom Hanks and surprisingly Michael Clarke Duncan. Why haven't we seen him in more dramatic roles like these? Kudos also to the rest of the cast, Barry Pepper, David Morse, Sam Rockwell and Doug Hutchison who by the way, have created a very thieving, mischievous, vile rat of a character. He definitely deserved his fate in the end.
The Green Mile is a gem.