"Roll on two."      

THE GREEN MILE (R)

Reviewed December 18, 1999 - Check out The Green Mile Website.

Studio Synopsis: Set on Death Row in a Southern prison in 1935, The Green Mile is the big-screen adaptation of Stephen King’s 1996 best-selling serialized novel. It is the story of a prison guard (Tom Hanks) who develops a poignant, unusual relationship with one massive, seven-foot inmate (Michael Clarke Duncan) who possesses a magical gift that is both mysterious and miraculous.  This is director Frank Darabont's (The Shawshank Redemption) second Stephen King adaptation, and just his second directing effort in five years.

Fuzzydog Review: There are several things of note about The Green Mile, but the perhaps the most prominent is it's length, which is just over three hours.  As feature films today stretch longer and longer, maybe three hours isn't a big deal anymore, but in this case I will have to say it: this film is much longer than it needs to be. Though director Darabont manages to get exceptional performances from everyone involved (Hanks, Duncan, as well as great supporting actors such as Michael Jeter, Bonnie Hunt, and David Morse), the film itself tends to drag in parts.  The story, which has a surprisingly strong supernatural component, feels like something you'd see in an episode of "Amazing Stories" or "The Twilight Zone."  As with those, there is an interesting punchline at the end, and The Green Mile delivers this nicely.  If only it didn't take so long to get there...

Having said that, I will say that my overall impression of The Green Mile is a positive one.  The characters are interesting, the acting is superb, and the message it sends about humanity is thought-provoking.  If the three hour runtime doesn't bother you, then I would recommend it.  (Those with queasy stomachs, however, should be warned that three electric chair executions occur in this film, and one of them...which goes badly...is a particularly disturbing one.) 

Responses from cyberspace--thanks for writing!

klwiig@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "I've always wanted to see the Green Mile when it came out in '99. Then I rented it I loved it. Micheal Duncan is the greatest there is and there is no comparisen. (I know i didn't spell that right.) Anyway, I'll be expecting to see more brillient performences by Micheal in the near future and I know that I won't be dissapointed." (8/27/01)

William gives this movie  stars: "I see and hear everyone talking about how long the movie is. I think the length of a movie should be irrelevant. What people need to focus on is the movie itself and not the length of it. The movie, The Green Mile, is really one of the best I have gotten the opportunity to see. I had no problem with the time of it cause the movie was presented very well. I feel the actors truly fit their roles in the movie and did excellent jobs. Many say it was disturbing but I, myself, really didn't think it was all that disturbing compared to many other films I have seen. I would strongly recommend this movie to anyone and everyone. Please remember the length of the movie shouldn't have anything to do with the review of the movie...it's the movie itself and the actors who made the movie what it is. " (2/27/01)

platham@yt.sympatico.ca gives this movie  stars. (11/24/00)

Erin gives this movie  stars: "This wonderful, heartfelt and tear jerking film is the type of movie in which oscars were made for. It had a brillant cast, espicially Michael Clarke Duncan as John Coffey. It is hard do belive that he use to dig trenches and was securuity for Will Smith. This actor is brillant and fits the character like a gem He truly is a gentle giant. The story line is great and even thought it goes for a little over three hours you don't even notice. A real great movie and da must see for all." (11/17/00)

stacy616@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "I would acyually give this movie about ten stars. It is the best movie i have seen yet. The actors in this movie are great! I just LOVE Micheal Clarke Duncan! He is one of the greatest actors of all time! I am pleastly surprised by his accomplished acting in his movies from Bear on "Armeggedeon" to John Coffey on the "Green Mile". He is surpurb in his accomplishments! I wish him all the luck in his future career. (Although I don't think he'll need it)" (9/15/00)

cat@aol.com gives this movie  stars: "Michael Duncan is the best! But all the actors in the movie were great especially Tom Hanks and the guy who played Billy the Kid. It's the best movie ever you gotta see it!!!! " (8/1/00)

HannahB83@aol.com gives this movie  stars: "This was without a doubt the best movie I have ever seen. The emotional impact was undeniable. It is undoubtly tops in my book." (7/17/00)

valeriecox17@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "Micheal Clarke Duncan is the best actor ever, and when teamed up with Tom Hanks, it is sure to be a delight." (7/12/00)

Meggs gives this movie  stars: "It is a wonderfull movie (aside from the electric chair gone wrong) and had AMAZING ACTORS. I cried whenever John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan) was on screen. He was so innocent and had a heart made of gold. I cried even harder at the end when he asked to leave the lights on, because "I's scared of the dark" :( The only thing they could have done to make the movie better would be to let John Coffey live! All in all, it was an excellent movie." (6/25/00)

bombaman46@aol.com gives this movie  stars: "I thought the Green Mile was a unique movie in its very own league; however, with its greatness, also came forth many flaws. Not only was the movie too lengthy for my liking (3 plus hrs.), I believed that through this time, the movie hardly presented the characters quite the way the Shawshank Redemption (Stephen King) had. The superb acting by Tom Hanks and Michael Duncan really held this flaw to a minor result. Although there were some disappointing segments in the film (and others that are just plain irrelevant), this movie does portray 1935 U.S.A. rather well, and it also shows the truth behind capital punishment, and the morality that holds the understanding within it." (6/8/00)

intare@go.com gives this movie  stars: "It is a great movie. It makes you think about life, and especially death penalty." (5/16/00)

grammy@dol.net gives this movie  stars: "I am usually disappointed by the movie version of a book I've already read. The Green Mile was an exception to the rule - the movie was every bit as good as the book. Enjoy! Please do not include my name or email address." (4/29/00)

Nicolas gives this movie  stars: "Excellent movie touching the people very much,has the elements of romantisism" (4/8/00)

woel10@yahoo.com gives this movie  stars: "it's a good movie. got me thinking about life and death. beautifully brought out, touches the audience and makes them think. the actors were magnificant" (4/1/00)

jimbo.jim@gte.net gives this movie  stars: "This movie was one of the best translations of a Stephen King novel since Stand By Me. It would have been even longer if they tried to recreate all the sub plots. As a matter of fact I bought this series for both my brother and his tutor to use as a text to teach him to read." (3/26/00)

Steph Hoffs gives this movie  stars: "it's the best movie in the world" (3/26/00)

Pummelman gives this movie  stars: "This is one of the best movies I've ever seen (together with The Truman Show, Juriassic Park, Titanic and Indep. Day), the acting is just SUPERB, Tom Hanks is extremely good as usual and so is this Micheal Duncan (John Coffey, like the drink, but not spelled the same :-) ) The scene of the electrocution of ?(forgot his name, he owned mr. jingles) was maybe cruel, but that's one part that'll make you remember this movie, together with the ending, I read somehwere that 3+ hours were too long, and I disagree with that, the movie doesn't get boring at one single moment, it's a movie that'll definately win oscars." (3/26/00)

erica_paschall@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "I loved this movie!!!! from the start to the finish, all 3+ hours of it!!! It really makes you think about people in general. I would totally disagree with anyone that said that this movie is too long. It is great!!! I am really glad that I went to see it, and it is my favorite movie of all times." (3/25/00)

roger@aol.com gives this movie  stars: "There are scenes in this movie that are EXTREMELY DISTURBING AND GROTESQUE which critics and the movie trailer itself never allude to. I have seen many graphic and realistic movies in my lifetime, but was SHOCKED that this movie had the content it did! From all the hype and publicity you could go to the movie thinking it was a Tom Hanks "feel-good" movie like Forest Gump. In reality, it is VERY DISTURBING and will leave you with a sick feeling as you exit the theater that may stay w/ you for days or possibly years. Some things you experience in life cannot be erased from your memory though you wish they could. This is how The Green Mile felt to me. [As anti electric chair statement, however, it serves it's purpose well.]" (3/24/00)

david.bartlett@virgin.net gives this movie  stars: "This move is heavily flawed; its length and the hyperbolic presentation of the Coffey story mean that the ultimate power of this film is diminished. But the Eduard Delacroix part of the story (childlike man obsessed with a performing mouse, then executed... horribly) was one of the most powerful and beautiful and moving and horrific things this film-maker has ever seen on the big screen. So, at the risk of sounding controversial, Michael Jeter (Delacroix) deserves the Oscar before Duncan or anyone. Magnificent direction, magnificent performance..." (3/3/00)

Shasta gives this movie  stars: "This movie is one of the best I've ever seen!!! Michael Duncan deserves an award, and I reeally liked the different kind of story told by Stephen King!" (2/25/00)

jprouty@mnpower.com gives this movie  stars: "Michael Duncan deserves an Academy Award for his performance as John Coffey. I cried like a baby whenever he was involved in something in the movie. He was just the best. I had read the book first and this was the only movie I've ever seen that followed so completely the book. All the actors were perfect playing the people in the book, great casting!! Michael Duncan was the most excellent. He has my vote for anything in the way of awards!! Wonderful work, Michael!!!!" (2/16/00)

flaco68@flash.net gives this movie  stars: "I tend to disagree with you (fuzzydog), 1st on the length of the movie as you well know with any steven king movie if the picture is under 2 hours then it is just plain bad,besides the characters unfolded slower and and you got to understand them better and what they were all about.2nd this movie as with "Shawshank" is much better on the big screen where as if you wait for video you will not get the same effect. thanks for letting me post this review felix ramirez" (1/2/00)

henley111@aol.com gives this movie  stars: "THE GREEN MILE is an amazing story about the lives of prisoners on death row and the guards who work there. Tom Hanks (Paul Egdecombe) gives a wonderful performance as the head guard who believes that JOHN Coffey, played by Mchael Clarke Duncan, is innocent and has an extrordinary gift... Doug Hutchison gives an OUTSTANDING performance as Percy Whetmore, the guard everyone hates. "You leave the theater hating him...and if that happenes, you know that he is a great actor." The movie is long (3+ hours) but it is worth sitting down for! THE GREEN MILE is a must see!!!" (12/23/99)