An exquisite display of power

Rating: Null/10 (2 February 2003)

Frank Darabont returns after the Shawshank Redemption, to produce an adaptation of another Stephen King novel, the Green Mile. The Shawshank Redemption and the Green Mile take place in a prison environment, and both films bypass the common King hallmarks of sensationalism by horror. The Green Mile however, makes use of the supernatural to underline the sensitive and humane message of this movie. Almost an hour longer than the Shawshank Redemption, this movie is not an action packed thriller, hilarious or romantic. It is not even a fast-paced movie.
The director uses the three plus hours to leisurely present a popular theme in the movie genre these days: the endless battle between good and evil. Additionally, the plot skillfully weaves the contrasting difference between wickedness and repentance, heaven and earth. The prevalent sense of fatality in this movie gives it a certain degree of suspense, emotion and excitement combined, to create the perfect formula for an uplifting effect.
Paul Edgecomb, played by Tom Hanks, is the depression era prison guard. His job is to ensure peace on his mile - the last mile any person that enters will ever walk - the Green Mile. Hanks is faced with conflicts, which share a common resolution - miracles can happen where they are least expected. Maintaining peace in a prison block might not be as easy as it may sound; Hanks has to keep one of his malicious co-workers, Percy Wetmore (Doug Hutchison) under strict supervision; he has to help the other prison guards control a new psychotic prisoner, and he is required to ensure the fatal reliability of `old sparky' in the execution room. Several practice runs are necessary before each execution, keeping the guards busy and vulnerable in their intent of keeping the prisoners calm.
John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan) is a new inmate brought in Hanks prison block, accused of murdering two little girls and convicted to die in the electric chair. The other death row inmates notice something different about this prisoner. His gentle demeanor and supernatural abilities unfold the story of the Green Mile. The obvious analogies to Christian culture, seen in the character names, circumstances and story developments are peppered throughout the movie, giving more room for interpretation and making it sometimes more obvious than necessary.
The prison setting and especially the rebellious character of Hutchinson, reminded me of the Last Castle, in which the director, Rod Lurie, also presents a defiant and traitorous personality in the inmate Yates, played by Mark Ruffalo. Additionally, the contrast between Hutchinson and Duncan is similar to the contrasting personalities of Ruffalo and Clifton Collins Jr. (Ramon Aguilar). In the Green Mile, the wicked heart of Hank's fellow guard is contrasted with the docile personality of Duncan. In the Last Castle, the disobedient and defiant fellow inmate is compared with the loyalty and respect of a simple-minded prisoner, son of a mason.
Director Darabont uses light and lighting techniques in a very symbolic way, throughout the movie. The impressive size of the window at the end of the prison block, sometimes letting the light shine down in a single ray, illustrates the ray of hope the inmates have for the world on the outside. Characters are often filmed sitting in front of that window with the sun shining on them, showing the Christian symbolism of light as redemption. Light is also used to manifest nature's anger and disapproval, through lightning at almost every execution. The supernatural element in this movie is also pictured by the force of light.
Darabont does a tremendous job in developing an emotional relationship between the viewer and the characters, especially by presenting several touching conversations between the guards and the inmates, and for what it is worth, giving them a chance to be treated with respect as human beings.
However, the length of this film tries the patience of the viewer. This style of melodrama, and the topic chosen, does not lend itself to such an extended production. In the end, the film's length hinders the full enjoyment and effectiveness of the movie. The Green Mile successfully imparts an emotional impact on the viewer, and leaves the audience with something to meditate about.