King plus Darabont equals Match Made In Heaven.

Rating: 10/10 (25 September 2007)

As great a writer as Stephen King is, film adaptations of his work tend to be hit-or-miss. I've noticed it's the non-horrific works (Stand By Me, Shawshank, Dolores Claiborne and this)that seem to work the best. I would say "horror" King films that are up to the same standard as the films I mentioned just now are rare, but I would certainly put "Misery" in their league.
Anyhow, this is an absolutely brilliant adaptation of the "serial" novel (published in installments) that King wrote. While not a "horror" movie, it does contain one element of the fantastic - John Coffey's healing ability - that is handled as realistically as could be expected. Darabont's script is spot-on. Tom Hanks has never, in the films I've seen him in, given a less than great performance, and this is no exception. And the supporting cast? Try David Morse, James Cromwell, Michael Jeter(RIP), Barry Pepper, Doug Hutchison, and of course, Michael Clarke Duncan as John Coffey. Then there's the crazy Sam Rockwell and the beautiful and talented Bonnie Hunt and Patricia Clarkson. All brilliant. A note on Mr. Hutchison's performance as Percy Whetmore: When I first saw this film, after the scene of Del's (Michael Jeter) horrific (due to Percy's sabotage) execution, when Percy sulkily mutters, "I didn't know the sponge was supposed to be wet", I actually spoke out loud to the screen - "Like h--l you didn't". That is how much I was drawn in by his performance and made to loathe his character.
Anyway, on to the plot. John Coffey (Duncan, in his Oscar-nominated performance)is found holding two tiny, dead girls in his arms and crying hysterically. The only words he can get out are, "I tried to take it back, but it was too late". This circumstantial evidence, on top of the fact that he is black (given the times the story is set in) leads to his quick conviction and sentencing to death. He arrives on the "Green Mile", so called for its green tiled floor, E-Block. This is Death Row circa 1930's Louisiana, and it is presided by senior guard Paul Sheldon (Hanks) and other guards (Morse, Pepper, Hutchison and Jeffrey DeMunn, who I'm afraid I neglected to mention earlier)who serve under his command. Coffey is escorted onto the Mile by conceited, self-centered guard Percy Whetmore (Hutchison) accompanied by Percy's cries of "Dead man walking". We soon learn that Coffey is a gentle, childlike, mentally challenged giant. He is afraid of the dark and, although he could probably snap any one of the guards like a twig if he ever so chose, he does not choose to do so.
The ensuing plot twists and healings are brilliantly portrayed. This is, perhaps, the best of all King film adaptations. Highly recommended. Cheers.