miracles in the strangest places.

Rating: 8/10 (13 March 2000)

One reason we tolerate watching 3 or 4 bad movies in a row is that eventually we get to see a good one come out of nowhere and hit us in the face. The green mile is such a film. Based on a Stephen King serial,arn't they all, the story is set in a Louisiana prison during the depression. It revolves around the head guard of an execution detail named Paul Edgecumb(Hanks). Paul is a good and kindly character as are most of the members of his team, bar one.They are conscious of their roles and professional duties and are anxious that their charges, for the brief time they are with them should be relieved of as much stress as possible prior to their execution. Not a scenario one would expect in a southern prison of the 1930's but there you are.Despite their serious duties there is always some welcome levity and on occasion they can be heavy handed when the need arises.Which they do several times with a recalcitrant prisoner to the audiences laughing approval. One day the arrival of a new prisoner arouses everyones curiosity. John Coffey is a black man condemned to death and he is enormous but everyones initial nervousness by his size is waylaid by his child like innocence, his fear of the dark and quiet disposition.Then later on in the prison block stange things start to happen...
Some of the material was unadulterated soppy tear jerker sentimental and contrived, and I loved it. I sympathised with the prison guards for all their grisley work and wonder how they manage to keep it together in such a place. The casting was just right even to the role of Percy the one sociopathic prison guard.Bonnie Hunt noticably gets better in each role,less hair brained.The question never arises in the movie about the origin of these miraculous powers and why they happened to reside in this particular person. I reckon to have gone into such detail would have spoilt the story.I guess its all a matter of faith. I rated this movie an 8/10. I didnt mind the length and believe the subject theme warranted it. Besides you hardly notice it.If I have seen one good warm fuzzy film this year, this is it.