Told Like a True Storyteller

Rating: 8/10 (15 March 2000)

So, after a five year exodus from our screens, Frank Darabont returns with, as we all know by now, another Stephen King adaptation, the serialised "Green Mile". It was sadly inevitable that the furore prior to the films showing would be whether it would hold ground alongside the much plauded "Shawshank Redemption", an obvious comparison given the circumstances and scenarios of the two films. For me personally, this is wrong as to expect to replicate the emotion that flowed from Shawshank, given the same context and setting is highly unfair. The Green Mile, based upon the lives of the wardens of Cold Mountain Penitentiary circa 1935, focuses not upon the relationships of the inmates, but the experiences of one particular ward head, Paul Edgecombe (Tom Hanks). The arrival of John Coffey, portrayed marvellously well by oscar nominee Michael Clarke Duncan, sparks a chain of supernatural events that impact upon the prisons residents, and lead to quite sobering consequences come curtain fall. The key to this film is to remember that the whole outline has been painted by King, and the manner of the story, in it's constituent parts, seems to have forced Darabont's hand in many ways, possibly explaining the sequence of events and it's chronological pattern. It is indeed clear from the chain of events that the novel upon which the story is based was very much that of a Dickensian serial form which does stifle the films ability to digress and fool the viewer. Where Darabont succeeds however is in providing moments of raw tension and shock even under these constrained conditions. True to the novel, but also with a distinct Darabont influence. There can be no complaints with the acting,(especially that of David Morse who regularly excels), and do not let the length put you off either. The story, and the manner of its conveyance is stylishly smooth and true to the novel and both demands and deserves your time. The morality of the human soul, religion and the supernatural are all factors which revolve and continuously force you to appreciate their position in the film. Whether the form in which Coffey displays this talent is necessary is debatable, but what isn't is the magnificent craft the director possesses for transforming page to screen. This is the second time he has successfully brought a King novel to life, which is not as easy as it sounds, and unravelled a tale of distinct cinematic quality. The lack of true depth to the story and characters no doubt costs this film the status of classic, but that is by no means of detriment to Darabont who has made what he can of an unyielding tale. By no means another Shawshank, but then that was never proposed or promised, and you do get treated to some of the most tension filled hours you will have seen on the big screen for some time. Now comes the time for this talented director to jump ship, and deservedly mould a modern classic novel into no doubt another modern classic piece of cinema. Yes, the quality Shawshank possessed is slightly lacking, but there is do not doubt it is capable of returning. The stage is set for Darabont's next project "The Bijou". The cinema going public are waiting and there for the taking.
The Green Mile: **** (out of five)