THE GREEN MILE
A Warner Bros. release

review by Joe Mauceri

Synopsis: On the Green Mile, death row at Cold Mountain Penitentiary, convicted murder John Coffey awaits his call to ride the lightening in “Old Sparky.” In the short time John is on the mile he will have a profound effect on all who live and work there. This gentle giant will teach Paul Edgecomb the true power of miracles and change his life forever.

Review: Once again Darabont, the director/screenwriter of “Shawshank Redemption,” tackles another Stephen King prison movie, and delivers a magical screen gem. In adapting the novel, Darabont endows the film with a wealth of emotion and depth of human spirit, the likes of which great filmmakers such as Frank Capra, John Ford and Stephen Spielberg have received critical acclaim for. As a screenwriter, Darabont is faithful to King’s work. I had the opportunity to read both, and Darabont’s screenplay is as powerful as King’s book. He skillfully trims the literary fat, and save’s King’s most memorable phrases for the moments where they have a significant impact. The story was originally published as a series of six chapbooks. In doing so, King jumped back and forth between the past and the present. Part of the film’s charm comes from the way it unfolds like a memory. Darabont mixes up the angles, shots and techniques supporting the narrative and flow. As the film draws to a close, the director beings to use more complex edits and fades to overlap the past and present. In closing, he allows the older Paul to speak the mantra of the novel. The resulting cinematic crescendo is powerful, and you could feel it resonating in the audience as they left the theater. Entering Stephen King country, one ventures into the realm of the supernatural. Darabont transforms the supernatural into a mystical experience. The special effects are subtle, accentuating innocense, while underscoring the evil. He does not shy away from the evil. The film’s compelling moments are brutal. However, he presents them in a way that does not destroy the film’s mood. Thomas Newman’s score serves to enhance tone and atmosphere, and is as invisible as it is beautiful. The casting for THE GREEN MILE is equally responsible for the film’s success. Other then Tom Hanks, the cast is not the typical “A” list box office draw. The performances are genuine, allowing the audience to forget that these are actors. Hanks is magical, but Michael Clarke Duncan delivers a heartfelt performance, one that will certainly be remembered come Oscar time. THE GREEN MILE is a mesmerizing heartfelt drama that offers audiences a unique message to reflect upon at the close of the millennium. Audiences will laugh, cry and be changed by this powerful film. Darabont’s writing and direction allows THE GREEN MILE to feel as if Ray Bradbury wrote “The Grapes of Wrath.” With a running time of about three-hours, THE GREEN MILE is a rare Hollywood exception that offers a complete satisfying story.

OFFICIAL WEB SITE:
www.thegreenmile.com

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