Sad, depressing... but fantastic

Rating: Null/10 (16 January 2003)

I have NEVER seen this film all the way through for some reason - it's usually on on Sky Premier, and whenever I actually switch over to it, it's usually about half an hour in! ***SPOILERS***
Anyway, from what I actually get round to watching of it, I love. While it's not an action packed, hilarious, romantic, scary or even very fast movie, it's still one that you can get addicted to (or is this just me?). Most of the characters are likeable - except that evil Percy. I almost cheered when he got sent off to the psycho unit. Of course, John Coffey is my favourite character - the sweet hearted 'giant' with the amazing gift. You just knew from the second he appeared on screen that he was innocent - which is probably why you feel for his character so much more than the others. Probably my second favourite character is 'Wild Bill' - I know that sounds weird coz he was a child murdering nutter, but I thought he was hilarious! I don't know why, but that scene after the guy gets electrocuted, when he's throwing all those feathers around in his cell makes me laugh every time!
The first time I saw this, I was moved to tears. Not just when that guy with the mouse (sorry, it's too late in the day for me to remember his name) got horribly electrocuted, but when the prison guards had to execute the 'gentle giant' who had become a friend to them. Watching the guards themselves cry over his death was enough for me. Of course, Tom Hanks is, as ever, fantastic in this, I don't think I even need to point that out - and this film is depressing, but brilliant.