Frank Darabont fails to repeat the trick

Rating: 6/10 (4 June 2003)

I'm quite surprised at the high marks this has been attracting, as I thought that this was a bloated version of The Shawshank Redemption. The performances from the cast are very good, but the script have the same pull that Shawshank had. My own opinion is that whereas the mind-numbing grind of life behind bars was alluded to (and briefly illustrated) in Shawshank, The Green Mile seems intent on spelling more of it out. The film feels sluggish and leaden, and the plodding pace means that by the time the grand finale comes, you're not sure whether you care or not! Could have been great....