Writer-director
Frank Darabont returns to familiar territory with The Green Mile, a very moving
adaptation of Stephen King's story about death row inmates and their guards during
the depression era.
Darabont
garnered much deserved recognition for his feature length debut The Shawshank
Redemption (also based on a Stephen King story) back in 1994. Although The Green
Mile doesn't quite capture the dramatic weight of that picture, it's hardly a
failure.
Darabont
has assembled a dream cast including; Tom Hanks (Saving Private Ryan), David Morse
(Twelve Monkeys), Micheal Clarke Duncan (Armageddon), Micheal Jeter (The Fisher
King), Graham Greene (Dances With Wolves), Jeff Demunn (Storm of the Century),
James Cromwell (Babe), Doug Hutchinson (X-Files), Sam Rockwell (Lawn Dogs), Gary
Sinise (Forrest Gump), William Sadler (Shawshank Redemption), Bonnie Hunt (Jerry
Maguire), Barry Pepper (Saving Private Ryan) and Patricia Clarkson. Along with
Robert Altman's Cookie's Fortune, The Green Mile certainly offers this years very
best ensemble.
The
Green Mile has caught flack for being too long, but it's such an absorbing and
emotional experience, that I wasn't at all bothered by the three hour running
time.
There are
only a few moments in this film that don't work (the elderly character telling
the story through flashback has been done to death). For the most part, however
Darabont is able to juggle characters and story lines effortlessly.
The
Green Mile has many interesting elements. It's a drama, a love story, a morality
play, and a super-natural thriller all rolled into one. Perhaps the most interesting
aspect of The Green Mile is the bond that develops between the prison guards and
the inmates. These scenes are handled with honesty and realism.
Although
this is an ensemble, and everyone is outstanding, it is Duncan (as an enormous
simpleton who is accused of a horrible murder) and the understated Morse (as Hanks'
kind and efficient partner) that are the standouts. Much attention in the film,
however will be paid to the lovable Mr. Jangles (a cute mouse that lives at the
prison).
Once
again, Darabont proves that he is an expert story teller. It should also be noted
that this is a surprisingly depressing film with some very intense and grisly
execution sequences. However, it is also a film that offers glimmers of hope and
happiness. The Green Mile is an emotional journey and one well worth taking.
