Not Shawshank Pt. II

Rating: 10/10 (24 November 1999)

Although The Green Mile shares the same director, setting, and source novelist as The Shawshank Redemption, it is about as far from Shawshank as is possible. This slightly sci-fi, slightly eerie, and very moving drama is a top-flight morality whose ambiguous aims allow for a whole lot of interpretation. In the preview screening that I attended, there was not a dry eye in the house during several scenes, and clearly rattled many members of the audience. Tom Hanks continues his winning streak as a death-row guard, and is wonderfully supported by the entire cast. Although this film may not be as technically groundbreaking as Being John Malkovich or Three Kings, it is not standard Hollywood fare, and achieves its own perfection. May sure to catch this when it is released, it will be the final classic of the 20th century.