Very memorable, brilliant

Rating: Null/10 (3 March 2001)

Well, not being on the cutting edge of the arts and entertainment scene, I just got around to seeing this great film tonight. Considering its 3-hour length, The Green Mile goes by quickly. This film demands complete involvement of the viewer. Tom Hanks is awesome as the compassionate prison guard. This film looks deeply at the capital punishment issue and, I felt, the absurdity of capital punishment is revealed. A certain "gallows humor" permeated the film. Like in Dead Man Walking, I felt helpless and anxious for the character about to be executed. I believe Albert Camus said that men sentenced to die experience more pain than any of their victims because knowing the precise moment and method of your death is much worse than any physical pain. I think most people would agree with Camus, at least to some extent. I can't imagine knowing for years that with each day that passed I was approaching some macabre time and date in which I was scheduled to be executed by a vengeful world. Of course, a person must do their best to live a life that keeps them out of hell and not commit crimes that our society demands punishment for. If innocent people are executed then...well...this is what scares me...knowing that I could be a kind, decent human being that never hurt anyone, and still be given a death sentence. I know this is very unlikely and probably sounds paranoid, but it is certainly possible, just watch The Green Mile and see for yourself. I find it difficult to be against the death penalty or to be for it. In a utopia, there would be no crimes and no desire for revenge. Well, I should stop myself before I become too vague, so just set aside 3 hours and WATCH THIS MOVIE. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.