The Green Mile (1999)

"The book was better" has been the complaint of many a reader since the invention of movies. Frank Darabont's second adaptation of a Stephen King prison drama (The Shawshank Redemption was the first) is a very faithful adaptation of King's serial novel. In the middle of the Depression, Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks) runs death row at Cold Mountain Penitentiary. Into this dreary world walks a mammoth prisoner, John Coffey (Michael Duncan) who, very slowly, reveals a special gift that will change the men working and dying (in the electric chair, masterfully and grippingly staged) on the mile . As with King's book, Darabont takes plenty of time to show us Edgecomb's world before delving into John Coffey's mystery. With Darabont's superior storytelling abilities, his touch for perfect casting, and a leisurely 188-minute running time, his movie brings to life nearly every character and scene from the novel. Darabont even improves the novel's two endings, creating a more emotionally satisfying experience. The running time may try patience, but those who want a story, as opposed to quick-fix entertainment, will be rewarded by this finely tailored tale. --Doug Thomas Amazon.com

One Of The Best Book-To-Film Translation I've Ever Seen

A few weeks ago, I finished Stephen King's novel "The Green Mile" and realized that I was about the only person on the planet who had not seen the film adaptation. Upon viewing the 3-hour piece of work, I was amazed by the degree to which King's writing was able to be translated to the big screen (as opposed to, say, "Hearts In Atlantis", which left much to be desired).

The plot of the film is exactly the same as that of the book, centering on a 1930s death row prison and the strange (paranormal?) events that transpired there. All the actors are dead-on in their interpretation of King's characters, such as the inspired Paul Edgecombe (Tom Hanks), the lunatic guard Percy Wetmore(Doug Hutchison), the even loony-er prisoner "Wild Bill" Wharton (Sam Rockwell), and the hulking, meek inmate John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), from which the story really draws from.

I won't give away any plot details here, but suffice it to say that pretty much everyone will enjoy this film. While the subject matter and language (the film IS set in a prison) rules out the kiddies, pretty much anybody else should find it to be an inspiring journey, as the movie explores the themes of death, love, and doing the noble deed in the face of great opposition.

I don't say this for many book-film combinations, but in this case you may actually be better off in seeing the film, as the acting is so wonderful and the plot does not deviate from the novel. December 30, 2008

DVD #2 is missed

The movie comes in two DVDs but the DVD#2 is the same as #1, so I have 2 DVDs #1. I need Amazon to send me a new movie since I got only the half. December 29, 2008

A FORCE OF NATURE AND MORE

This review covers the two-disc special edition which lasts about three hours. The first disc is rated 18, the second 12, but do not be misled, I found the emotional impact of the second is as great as the first, and not for the deaths to come. I understand the negative reviews that some have given this movie. I was quite prepared to give it a one star rating after about the first 15 slow minutes. But I watched the whole thing. And gave it five stars.

It is hard to sum the film up without making it seem a silly, shallow fable. And that would be wrong as this film is a tragedy above all. It manages to do miracles akin to sheer magic without letting it get out of control, or fall into the 'let's rub the magic lamp and the genie will fix it' easy approach. It is deeply moving and believable throughout. The only part that stretched my credibility was how quickly the guards agreed to the plan to get the Miracle Prisoner in contact with the sick wife.

The magic lies in the acting and the story itself. All fiction requires 'suspension of disbelief'. Sometimes the coincidences are too much, sometimes the illogicalities cannot be glossed over quickly enough. In this case all you have to accept is that the man has a gift. There is no science in it, and some would say it is anti-scientific. But it would foolish to agree with them. Science may be food for the mind and food for the body, but this is food for the soul and the heart. We may value science and technology, but we do not let them dictate our values - they have none. We will not be subject to objects.

At the end of it all there is still mystery - the story is told in flashback. But the old man cannot get it all straight in his head or his heart. This is a good film to start deep conversations with. December 29, 2008

Says Disc two on Disc but it was the same as Disc one:-(

This is my favorite movie and I was so disappointed that disc two was the same as disc one only the cover was labeled as disc two October 29, 2008

Great Movie that deserves to be #50

I can't believe people are saying horrible things about this movie. I guess it's because they don't want to uh...what's that word? oh yeah, THINK! And this movie is worth putting a lot of thought into. For all you people who didn't know, John Coffey was trying to bring back the little girls to life, ["I tried to take it back"] he probably was wandering out in the woods and he saw them. And he had to do that locust/bug thing with his mouth to show you what he does to the bad stuff he takes out. If you actually take the time and UNDERSTAND the movie, you wouldn't think it sucks so much. In fact, it has now become one of my favorite movies to watch over and over. You might even learn something from it. October 12, 2008

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