Truly remarkable

Rating: Null/10 (7 December 1999)

After racing against the clock to finish the sprawling, six-part literary masterpiece known as "The Green Mile," my expectations for the motion picture were very high. Tom Hanks is the best actor who ever lived, and I knew the movie was going to be wonderful from the start. The film exceeded my expectations. Easily the best adapted screenplay since "Silence of the Lambs." It practically follows the book word-for-word, only omitting parts that really weren't necessary to begin with. Though the film clocks in at an epic 3:08, I never once looked at my watch. I was thoroughly engrossed and spellbound by the hypnotic visuals and the completely on-target performances. These were the people I pictured in the book. Extra consideration (especially by the Academy) should be given to Michael Clarke Duncan and Doug Hutchinson, who bring the sweet innocence of John Coffey and the maniacal sadism of Percy Wetmore to life. This year's Best Supporting Actor race is going to be tough, with these two thrown into the ring together to compete against the brilliance of Haley Joel Osment from "The Sixth Sense." As the film builds hour by hour, my emotions were tested and heightened with some of the most gripping, adrenaline-charged moments of the year. "The Green Mile" is one of the year's top three films (accompanied by "The Sixth Sense" and "American Beauty"). What a way to close out the 1999!