Affecting perforces offset by ridiculous plot hole - (spoilers)

Rating: 5/10 (23 July 2001)

There are a number of standout performances in THE GREEN MILE, particularly by Michael Clark Duncan. As the spiritual center and Christ figure of the story, Duncan is superb. There are so many things to like about this movie (it is an effective and moving indictment of the death penalty) that it is sad to see it undone by a plot absurdity.
Any story that depends on supernatural elements requires that the audience suspend disbelief. However, accepting supernatural elements demands consistency and logic in the other supernatural elements.
(Spoiler)
In this movie, Coffey's talent as a healer becomes known to the guards and the warden. Near the end of the movie, Coffey is able to pass on a memory/image of the person who actually committed the crime he was convicted of to the guard/narrator (Tom Hanks). Although Coffey is clearly innocent, we are told that nothing can be done to save him. This is totally absurd. In the real world, where there is no evidence for actual spiritual or psychic healing, practicianers (or charlatans) enjoy fantastic success. If there were a REAL healer, who could also transfer images from the minds of killers to other people, then publicizing his talent would be a trivial exercise. We already know that officials came to the prison to see a mouse perform -- why wouldn't people come to see a genuine healer? Finding powerful supporters who would argue for clemency would be the next logical step. In essence, the momentum of the movie is to kill Coffey since he is a Christ-figure, and the plot is the ultimate casualty.
Trying to paper over the hole with the idea that Coffey was ready to lay down the burden of empathizing all of the world's pain and embrace death just didn't work and felt condescending.
Rating: 5 = Performances (8) - plot hole (3)