The good can appear in the most obscure of places

Rating: 9/10 (18 August 2004)

SPOILERS
Stephen King is one of the greatest Horror writers of all time. With stories like "The Shining", he has become categorically associated with the spine chilling. Ironically however, he is responsible for two films which are not as much spine chilling as moving and to a degree inspiring. The first of these is 1994's "Shawshank Redemption" and the other is 1999's "The Green Mile".
Staring Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan, "The Green Mile" is the story of a prison during the depression. In charge of the Electric Chair, Paul Edgecomb (Hanks) and his group of guards, run a tight operation where often the guards have a close relationship with their prisoners. One day a prisoner is sent to them in the form of the gigantic John Coffey (Clarke Duncan). Coffey is sentenced to death for the brutal murder of two young girls, but as the guards begin to interact with Coffey, they begin to realise he isn't quite what he seems.
With multi-Oscar winner Tom Hanks in the leading role, King and director Frank Darabont, have chosen a well seasoned professional who can put in the outstanding performance often needed. In "The Green Mile" however, Hanks is outperformed by the surprising Michael Clarke Duncan. Used to more blockbuster based roles (1998's "Armageddon" and 2003's "Daredevil" for example), Clarke Duncan shines as the sweet giant with a heart of gold. Worthy of his nomination for best supporting actor at the Oscars, it took a questionable win for Michael Caine for him to not win.
Aside from Hanks and Clarke Duncan, the remainder of the cast provide equally sound performances. Patricia Clarkson is perhaps underused, whilst Sam Rockwell is perhaps overused, but all in all, the cast perform effectively.
"The Green Mile" is a brilliant film. It's perhaps slightly too long, running in at a hefty three hours, but the majority of it runs smoothly and effectively. It might not be as good as films like "The Godfather" (1972) or "Casablanca" (1942), but it's definately a film which everyone should watch. It's a film which inspires us to think, and simultaneously causes us to shed a tear. Three hours it might be, but make the effort and you won't be disappointed.