Adapted for the screen by Frank Darabont (Shawshank), The Green Mile
is the story of a group of guards on death row, supervising the
impending execution of a wrongly accused man, who has the power of
faith healing. The Green Mile
is another solid cinematic translation of one of King’s better
non-horror yarns, and in many ways, may even be more enjoyable than the
hardcover original. How, you ask? Well, thanks to the electric
performance of then-newcomer Michael Clarke Duncan as the film’s
anti-hero John Coffey, the story’s poignancy is ramped up a notch here
– resulting in a film that won’t just keep you captivated, but may even
have you reaching for that hanky in the dresser drawer. The towering
actor’s immerse performance as is one of the most touching and credible
turns by an actor in years… it’s the glue, if you will, that holds this
solid structure together. The first tip-off that The Green Mile was always going to turn out well is who’s starring in it. Lets admit it, Tom Hanks – ever since his win in Philadelphia
(1993) – never makes a bad picture. He thinks through his choices more
scrupulously than a year-12 student at a biochemistry exam. He’s picked
a role here that’s complex but again, very human. You’ll be able to
relate to his benevolent warden from the get-go. Granted, the script
would’ve spat colours from the outset…. It’s truly one of the best film
adaptations of its time, and even if Hanks were asked to play Mr
Jingles the mouse, he would’ve at least considered it based on the
material. Hanks is backed-up by a solid support cast, including
the abovementioned Duncan (he’s never been offered a role quite as good
since), Barry Pepper, David Morse, Sam Rockwell, Bonnie Hunt, William
Sadler, James Cromwell, Michael Jeter, Graham Greene, Doug Hutchison
and, a regular in Hanks films, Gary Sinise. The real star of
this show though – well, besides Duncan – is the story. It’s a beautie.
If it doesn’t melt your heart just a little, you must be stuck in that
icy laboratory from Carpenter’s The Thing – because this would touch even the coldest of thumpers. EXTRAS Extras on the re-issued ‘Special Edition’ DVD include a commentary by
the forthright Darabont, additional scenes, make-up tests, and most
notably, ‘Miracles and Mystery: Creating The Green Mile’ A 6-Part
Documentary Gallery featuring the first onscreen DVD bonus interview
with Hanks. There’s another doco, ‘Walking the Mile: The Making of the
Green Mile’, but that was included first-time around – on the 2000 disc. Conclusion:
Movie 80% Extras: 65%
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