Adapted from Stephen King's novel of the same name, "The Green Mile" stands as a cinematic masterpiece that transcends time. Released in 1999, directed by Frank Darabont, and starring Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, and David Morse, this film weaves together elements of fantasy, drama, and the supernatural to deliver a poignant narrative that explores the depths of human nature, the power of empathy, and the quest for redemption.
PREVIEW
ABOUT THE FILM
When someone asks which movie makes everyone shed tears after watching, undoubtedly, the answer can only be The Green Mile. Why? Spend three hours watching it, and you will see that my comments are still not enough to express the deepest emotions that this film brings. From joy to sadness, anger to frustration, agony to compassion, all are encapsulated in a place where the line between heaven and hell becomes blurred and indescribable. And The Green Mile is precisely such a place.
Despite bearing the name "The Green Mile," which usually signifies an endless stretch of green fields or vast forests, the green mile in the movie is particularly unique. It is not a green pasture but a corridor, the final walkway for death row inmates before they face their fate on the electric chair. In other prisons, this corridor is often called the "Last Mile," but in the Cold Mountain Penitentiary where guard Paul Edgecomb reigns, it's referred to with a name as peculiar as the miracles that occur here.
The Green Mile revolves around the life of guard Paul Edgecomb from the moment he encounters a death row inmate named John Coffey, who has the ability to heal all living creatures. Two individuals who were previously strangers suddenly realize that destiny has bound them together to become each other's friends, aiming to bring hope to the dark prison. Like his miracles, John is different from the rest—not intelligent or loquacious, always shy and with eyes filled with tears. Paul is also different from ordinary guards. He is calm, listens well, and is very fair. He realizes that his job is not about shouting and beating but about listening and sharing with prisoners. Therefore, the E Block where Paul works is quite friendly and gentle. Even the isolation cells used for rebellious inmates are used as storerooms, only occasionally holding a few stubborn cases. Paul's handling of the situation brings up a lesson in human management: violence cannot be as effective as clever words and kindness.
Is the friendship between the guard and the prisoner real?
Returning to the friendship between these two characters, it may seem illogical at first because they belong to different classes and different statuses. However, when placed in the context of a prison full of hidden regrets behind every bar, we suddenly realize that beautiful friendship, no matter where it exists, will always prevail because it is simply about being ready to give without needing to receive anything back to make it a reality. Nevertheless, between Paul and John, who gives the most? It must be John because he suffers too much from being forced to confess to the rape and murder of two little girls, enduring the scorn of the white men who trample upon him.
And yet, John still heals Paul and the acquaintances of the guard, causing Percy to become so detestable that he goes mad and ends his life along with the wicked inmate Bill. John does everything with his abilities and a bright and compassionate heart, and eventually, he is vindicated without needing anyone's help, leaving behind a sense of remorse in Paul that haunts the guard even in his later years. Many will agree with me that the miracle Paul receives is not as wondrous as he thought; it's almost like a punishment that perpetually makes Paul chew on the bitterness of loneliness and suffering, watching many loved ones depart before his eyes because he lost the miracle that God bestowed upon the world.
Besides the magical friendship between individuals, The Green Mile also contains many simpler friendships, such as that between the little mouse Mr. Jingles and the small prisoner Del, who was convicted of murder but ultimately returns to his innocence in his final days. This is the clearest evidence that, no matter who it is, deep down, in the sacred depths of the heart, goodness always exists. Since meeting the little mouse and many guards like Paul, Del no longer feels lonely, and just before walking through the Green Mile, he even wishes for one thing that each time we hear, it hurts even more: "I wish I had met everyone sooner."
Magic is not far away…
Del's wish, which even John with his miraculous abilities constantly desires, suggests that even though they are prisoners, at the Green Mile, they are still human beings, still creatures with simple wishes that the dark world outside lacks. The image of the tiny Mr. Jingles serves as a mirror reflecting the inmates' true selves, allowing them to live a real life for once. Through the little mouse, we don't see the figure of a murderer anymore but only a pitiful Del spending his final days next to the pet he tamed. Through him, we also don't see Percy, but instead, we see his despicable and cowardly self daring to kill those weaker than himself. If we consider John Coffey an angel, then Percy is the opposite; he is a demon masquerading in power and authority. But regardless, John and Paul are still there, and the miracle will always shine brightly, how can those like Percy bring anything bad to the Green Mile? The green pathway in Cold Mountain is beautiful in its own way, and as Paul said when he grew old, "Each of us has our own Green Mile, and many even wish it would come sooner."
The Green Mile is not the end; it is liberation, and in the prisoners, we see that each person chooses their own way to live in their final days, whether silently or harmoniously, in the end, when death approaches, people only know regret and see the Green Mile as the next step in their destiny. From the moment John Coffey steps in, Paul's fate has already been predetermined, and the miraculous power of the angel neither does nor will ever have an effect because, in reality, Paul's condemned soul sees death as the only way out, the divine miracle bestowed by God that made John feel what he saw in this world only darkened. And before his trial, he cries, we cry, Paul cries; the sins he committed may or may not be real, but even if there is blame, it no longer matters because the miracle has returned to heaven.**
Awards
Achievements and performances: Four Oscars and a cast of seasoned actors including Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, David Morse, etc., are more than enough to turn the film into a legend. Tom Hanks remains the same, the character and the actor merge into one, the image of the stern yet deeply troubled guard will never fade in the memories of cinema lovers. But the highlight of the entire The Green Mile is not the talented Tom Hanks but actor Duncan (John Coffey). During the filming period, the actor was not well-known and only regularly played minor, forgettable roles. At first, many doubted Duncan's abilities, but in the end, what did we get? An unforgettable role, a touching character that brings tears to the audience's eyes. It is no exaggeration to say that only Duncan as John could have made The Green Mile so successful.
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