Beware of spoilers...
Hey folks, Harry here. Tonight, all across the country at various college campuses there was a satelite screening of THE GREEN MILE. A What? Well, ya see there is this program out there for the Universities that has these advance screenings where the students then watch a live interaction thingee with the Actors and Director after the film. They do now watch a PRINT exactly... they watch a digital projection of the film... not that new TI job either, I'm talking about those decent projectors that still leave your image slightly out of focus and the resolution waaaaaaay below that of a realized film print. BUT... it's good enough to serve these purposes... which is to get us a look at THE GREEN MILE. I might post more reviews from screenings tonight, if there are some particularly well written ones... Right now I've chosen a scattering of reviews from the 20 or so I've received. Everyone seems to be either loving the film or really really really liking it. Those that just really really really like it seem to just not accept the old guy version of Tom Hanks... But most seem to. We'll be seeing for ourselves soon enough... It's not too far away now...
Thatman from UCLA chimes in (P.S. Thatman... it's Coffey... not Coffee, just sounds that way)
Hi Harry
Never have I written you, but I always wanted to write you something of substance. I think I have it. I am THATMAN.
Tonight I have seen the film of the year. In fact 40 campuses were graced, honored, lucky enough to participate in this film screening. I will not be surprised to hear that you have, or will be bombarded with reviews tonight. Tonight I have seen The Green Mile starring Tom Hanks at UCLA. Let me be the first one to say, this is not a "Tom Hanks'" film, it was taken away from him by a great cast. And we were also treated to a Q and A with the director and a few actors from the film, all were given a standing ovation from the audience. For once , Again, Tom HAS been out acted by a great ensamble cast, and that is the best complement I can give to all of them.
I remember following the paperbacks month by month a few years ago never thinking this great story could be a feature film, just because there was too much going on. Boy was I wrong. Every theme from the paperbacks were successfully transferred to the screen; good vs. bad, light vs. dark, love vs. hate, hope vs. despair, duty vs. doing the right thing. Hot topic issues like racism and the death penalty were raised too, but not resolved. In the Q and A Frank was put on the spot about these issues and he said, to paraphrase "Figure it out yourself. I put these on screen for you to take home and think about. I am not here to force feed you my thoughts and feelings." He also talked about Steven King books being a great inspiration, and how he "might be a dinosaur in filmmaking", since he does long takes and trys to really tell a story. He says he grew up with Haws and Ford, not wanting to cut every 6 seconds. He also expressed his feeling about "MTV Style of filmmaking", he called it "CRAP". He was greeted to applause on that one.
The Film, about 3 hours long is the story of one man on Death Row, John Coffee, and how he changed everyone's life in the "Green Mile". The nickname for the area the death row inmates are held. Tom Hanks plays Paul , head of the Green Mile. He film is told in his point of view. But the story is John Coffee's and there wasn't a dry eye in the house. And with good reason. He is an innocent who really knows what life is about. Unlike Lenny from Of Mice and Men, John Coffee knows his purpose in like, even though he might not like it and cannot verbalize it to the best of people's understanding. To reveal anymore will do an injustice to this story. For those who know the story, will be pleased with what is taken and what is left out. For those who are introduced to this for the first time, be ready to be blown away by a story by a man who is know for only his horror stories, but never really praised enough for his stories like this , Apt Pupi, Shawshank Redemption and Stand By Me. Not anyone can do a Steven King story, Frank proves he just might be the right man for the job, all the time. Once again I must emphasise the superior acting from all in this film, let me also mention this should get all that Shawshank didn't. Oscars anyone?? This is coming from a fan that thought American Beauty was the hands down film of the year. I stand corrected. This is a classic that will stand the test of time.
Thank you all for your time for my first time
thatman
Guy from William & Mary sent this one in...
Folks-Just saw The Green Mile, the terrific new film from the writer-director of The Shawshank redemption, Frank Darabont. It was one of those free campus screenings where the movie is beamed via satelite to the school and projected on a video projector. W&M's projector is seriously out of date so the picture quality was terrible, and because Trinkle Hall, where the screening was held, has a horrible echo, the sound was worse. It's late so please excuse the grammar and spelling. And now the review:
The Green Mile, the latest release from writer-director Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, uncredited rewrite of Saving Private Ryan) is a film about storytelling. In this episodic prison drama everyone and everything has a story. To anchor the multiple plotlines is a fine retelling of the greatest story ever told. But Darabont is just as interested in the tangents and sidebars to it as well as well as the anecdotes about everyday life in one of the few places on earth where death is a certainty. The film's three hours consist of not one wasted or unessary minute. Amazingly Darabont successfully blends all the stories into a seamless, powerful and touching whole.
"Whatever happens on the mile, stays on the mile"
That quote is repeated by several characters throughout the film. A rather interesting statement for a movie which is entirely devoted to telling stories about what happens on the Green Mile. The title refers to the death row at a prison in Alabama (the Green part refers to the color of the linoleum floor). The story is framed in the present day where Paul Edgecome (Dabbs Greer) lives out his days in a retirement home, taking a walk everyday to a mysterious cabin in the woods. One day while watching TV with his fellow retirees, a Fred Astaire film comes on. This triggers painful memories and Paul feels compelled to leave the room. One of his peers follows him out and wants to know if he's alright. He then begins to tell a tale of his days as a prison guard on the mile. The film then flashs back to a younger Paul (Tom Hanks) in 1935 "the year I had worst bladder infection of my life and the year of John Coffey". Coffey (Michael Duncan) is a new inmate on the mile, convicted of raping and killing two little girls. Despite his imposing height and musculature, it quickly becomes apparent that Coffey is a sweet simpleton. Soon however he begins to display remarkable healing powers, curing Paul of his bladder infection and bringing a dead mouse back to life. Paul and fellow guard Brutus (David Morse), Dean (Barry Pepper) and Harry (Jeffrey DeMunn) begin to question Coffey's guilt, and what they can do about it.
While the central plot is an obivous Christ allegory, it's handled with such skill by Darabont that it does not become cloying or preachy. By telling from the point of view of his executioners, Darabont works in the notion of guilt and redemption over circumstances one has no control over. Paul and his colleagues do not wash their hands of this, as the epilogue reveals. And that's just the central story. Other side trips include Paul and Brutus clashing with a hothead guard (Doug Hutchison) who has friends in high places, a fellow inmate and his pet mouse, Paul and his colleagues sneaking Coffey out to help the Warden's dying wife (Patricia Clarkson), and various problems arising from a truly nutcase inmate (Sam Rockwell) who may have a connection to Coffey's past. Again, none of these seem superflous. In fact they blend nicely into an overall story about how precious life really is, and how man creates much unecessary ugliness in the world.
Like in The Shawshank Redemption, Darabont shows keen interest in details. Executions in "old sparky" the electric chair are carried out in a ritualistic matter comparable to a church service, with the chair in place of the altar and with the guards presiding over the service instead of priests (intriguingly no church or clergyman is ever seen in the film). Prisoner's heads are shaved to attach electrodes in way reminiscent of medevial monks. And Darabont handles the executions in a tasteful manner, and refuses to sensationalize them.
The acting is first rate all around. Hanks is excellent, portraying Paul as a man trying to maintain his sanity and humanity amongst the violence. His Paul is a far cry from Clancy Brown's sadistic creep guard in Shawshank. In fact Paul genuinely feels some sorrow and regret at executing even the most hardened criminals. But despite his top billing, this is very much an ensemble piece. Morse, an underused and underrated actor shines as Brutus, who despite his name and stature, is kind and fair. Pepper and DeMunn fair nicely as well, as does James Cromwell as the prison warden and Harry Dean Stanton as the nutty, non death-row inmate the guards use when rehearsing the executions. However the picture belongs to Duncan, who's immense size and muscles have previously limited him to tough-guy roles (he's credited in no fewer than four films as "nightclub bouncer"). Coffey is ultimately a very simple man, who is unsure entirely of his own powers, just a vague need to "help people". He's a messaih who knows only the task at hand, he's not a genius, he doesn't know the secret of the universe. He just helps people.
Overall The Green Mile ranks as one of this year's best, if not the best, American films. Darabont as done the impossible and made a film that surpasses The Shawshank Redemption. The film explores the telling of a story, it's dimensions, it's meanings, it's format. Stories are told every concievable way, in flashback (the frame), by written word (Paul reading the transcript of Coffey's trial), by word of mouth (an imate explaining what he thinks heaven is like), and at the highest level, cinematically. Ultimately the many stories form a unique and facisnating meditation on how evil gets into the world, and how can a man be saved, even from his own demons? The result is a touching, memorable masterpiece.
- Guy
Darth Yddet from Texas A&M sings about the film
Hey Harry, I'm a first time contributor to the site and I was just writing to let you know that your Oscar prediction for Best Movie going to The Green Mile in 2001 is rite on the money. I just got back from one of those college sneak preview things for The Green Mile. I go to Texas A&M and along with UCLA, Penn State, and some other schools we were given the privilage to view this amazing movie. Ever since I saw that prediction of yours about year ago I've been keeping a close eye on this movie, so when I heard that A&M was going to show the movie weeks in advance I jumped at the chance.
Let me start of buy saying that Michael Duncan (Bear from Armaggedon) makes this movie. I had no idea that this guy was such a good actor. He plays John Coffey, "...like the drink, but not spelled the same." The combination of Tom Hanks and Duncan works perfect, as does the chemistry among the four main guards.They're all familiar faces that just really work well together. This movie has so many characters that you grow to love throughout the movie (mostly the inmates) and you can emagine that since they are on death row, a.k.a. The Green Mile, that when they are finally excecuted we feel like we have truly lost a friend. And watch for Percy - you'll hate this character. Not because it's bad acting or annoying, but because he's just the perfect bad guy.
Although this movie is three hours long it doesn't seem like it all. Every scene has a point to it and every character impacts the main story in one way or another. It's just a great story that deals with superstition, religion, and miracles in a really positive way, not like all the Stigmata-like crap that's out now.
I just hope that this Tom Hanks movie doesn't get screwed over like Saving Private Ryan did last year. It's definetely a contender for best picture but if something like American Beauty gets it I'll be pissed. Not that American Beauty was a bad movie, it just seems like now-a-days if a movie is to be considered good it has to be all fucked up and edgy and ask some kind of screwed up question. I would just like to see some wholesome movie win something for a change. But then again awards aren't everything.
After the movie was over the audiences were given the chance to ask certain cast members questions via satelite from UCLA. The actors present were Michael Duncan (John Coffey), James Cromwell (Hal Moores), Doug Hutchinson (Percy Wetmore), and the director Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption). There were just some typical questions about the what attracted the actors to the script and their veiws about the death penalty. I really like Frank Darabont after this interveiw, he just always seemed to say the right things. I hope he makes more movies just like his past two. The Green Mile was excellent.
(Darth Yddet)
Let's have this one from our very own piggy bank at Oklahoma State, who took out the cork and spilt the copper on this baby...
About 40 college campuses across the nation tonight got a free advance preview of "The Green Mile." I'm sure others will chime in, but I thought I would give you an Oklahoma perspective on the subject.
Here at OSU the movie was very well received. It's been a while since I've been to a movie where the audience cheered. It was quite an experience.
In short, Tom Hanks is wonderful as always, but the stars of this film, I think, are Doug Hutchinson and Michael Duncan.
Doug Hutchinson plays a superb Percy Wetmore. I hated him... and that's good! He did an excellent job.
Michael Duncan fit John Coffey to a "T." Visually, he was perfect for the role, but he also did a wonderful job with the more emotional parts of the role. Don't expect to see the guy from Armageddon in this movie!
The movie is definitely Oscar material. I highly recommend it.
Hamm
From the Big 10/11 comes this one...
Hey Harry,
Multiple-time reader, first-time poster. I attend a Big Ten (Eleven, actually) university and we just had a special screening of THE GREEN MILE, so I thought I'd send you a review of it since I haven't seen any in the recent weeks. I have read the book by Stephen King (go out and buy it NOW if you haven't read it yet), so I knew what was gonna happen going into the screening.
I'll try and keep the spoilers to a bare minimum.
For those of you who don't know the story, here it goes: Paul Edgecombe (Tom Hanks) is Head Guard of Cell Block E at Cold Mountain State Penitentiary in Louisiana during 1935. (Cell Block E is Death Row. It is known as "The Green Mile" because the tiled floor is green.) He and the other guards befriend John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), a monstrous black man sent to The Green Mile to die. They soon realize that Coffey is a special kind of person.
This film is the best I have seen this year. Although I prefer the book to the film, the film is still spectacular. It clocks in around 3 hours but you really don't notice it until you look at your watch after the movie's over. Frank Darabont (THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION) both adapted the book and directed this masterpiece. I was a little peeved at some of the things he left out from the book [a great speech by Mrs. Edgecombe (Bonnie Hunt) and the way Paul learns "the truth" ], the performances, cinematography, and score all made up for.
If there is justice in the world, Jesse Jackson won't be bitching about the Oscars this year because Duncan will win Best Supporting Actor. Hanks should earn a nomination for Best Actor, as well as Darabont for Adapted Screenplay, Director, and Picture. I don't know who does the score (they pushed them to the side of the screen), but it is very Bernard Hermann-esque at times, while reminding me of SHAWSHANK at others.
When December 10 rolls around, I suggest you all go out and see THE GREEN MILE.
It is the best film of the year so far ( I can't wait to see MAN ON THE MOON and MAGNOLIA, though), topping AMERICAN BEAUTY ever-so-slightly. Eventhough I knew the ending, I still cried for the last 20 minutes of the film. That tells you just how great of a job Darabont does.
Payton34
Sundance from Clemson University sent in this one....
Harry,
I just had the pleasure of experiencing The Green Mile. Although the sound was hideous and the satellite fed picture occasionally distorted (and surprisingly, and disappointedly, in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, even though the trailer was 2.35:1), I was unable to take my eyes from the screen for even a second. Though three hours long, this original film was not boring for even a moment.
The film opens with a group of men running through the field obviously searching for someone. One man finds a white piece of cloth atop a reed, the wind blowing through it. After this quick scene, the film cuts to the frame story of the aged Paul Edgecomb in a nursing home. I've heard criticism of these scenes, but I thought they did an excellent job of setting the tone of the movie, one of both sorrow and laughter (and this movie is absolutely hilarious in parts). When the old man (who does a great job) sneaks out for a walk into the mountain woods, I sensed the tone the film would have. This is a very atmospheric and often beautiful film.
All of the performances, across the board, were excellent. Tom Hanks, David Morse (a good guy for a change), Barry Pepper, and the prosecutor from The Shawshank Redemption make up the friendly group of guards. It is nice to see James Cromwell playing a character who is the direct opposite of Chief Dudley Smith in LA Confidential. Michael Clark Duncan is also perfect as John Coffey, the gargantuan prisoner with a special gift. The music is often subdued and understated (ala Shawshank) and is always perfect for the mood. Darabont's direction is flawless as well. He managed to make a movie in so many ways dissimilar from Shawshank yet still provokes the same emotions which Shawshank managed to do. There were a number of people crying (in many scenes) in the auditorium, yet the movie is free of schmaltz or sappiness.
This is by far the most complete, and best film I've seen this year, and it appears that Harry's Best Picture prediction has a fairly good chance of coming true. There is not a single wrong moment in this film. Sure, Kevin Spacey was incredible in American Beauty, an entertaining film. To me, however, while a good film, it seemed to be more of a caricature than a realistic, in depth look at a very dysfunctional family. Sure, Fight Club was an entertaining and thought provoking adrenaline rush, but it seemed more like a sum of its parts. This film, however, works beautifully in many parts: some heartwarming, some gruesome and gut-wrenching, some very funny. When these parts are put together, however, you have a seamlessly crafted masterpiece. This film works in so many different ways, that there is no doubt in my mind that it is the best picture of the year.
Sundance
The Burning Bullwinkle from Kansas now trumpets the film...
Uber-geek,
Well, as a long time reader of your site, I haven't really been able to give you anything of value, because, well, I live in Kansas. And aside from Mars Attacks, there hasn't been too much done here. But I was lucky enough to take part in an advance screening for the Green Mile.
In a word, this film is excellent. Frank Darabont has exceeded his wonderful work on the Shawshank Redemption. There were only two problems with the film in my eyes. First wasn't the film's fault, the contrast was majorly messed up. Second, as a few have complained about, the book-ends featuring the aged Paul Edgecomb while well done, feature an actor that doesn't look at all like Tom Hanks. But that is a minor beef. The three hours went by quickly and I was impressed at how well it followed the book.
The performances were excellent. Tom Hanks' name has been thrown around quite a bit, but the film belonged to Doug Hutchison. As Percy Whetmore he perfectly captured the character from the novel; as Paul says "mean, careless and stupid." His work is phenomenal. Also of mention are certainly James Cromwell, David Morse and a very small part by Harry Dean Stanton. But this really was a cast of standouts. Everyone did a great job.
The writing was great going from sadness to outrageous laughter in half a heartbeat. Many times there was applause after Paul's encounter with Coffey and just for "Brutal"(Morse), who really could zing the one liners.
The best part of this film is the ending, to be sure. It is not, repeat not, a happy one but rather bittersweet. Things do not turn out for the best. I can't say enough about how glad they did not syrup the finale.
Afterwards, there was a short Q & A with Morse, Cromwell, Hutchison, Michael Duncan (Coffey) and Darabont. I missed most of it because I was helping clean up (I am a member of the film council) but most of what I heard was ass-kissing from actor and director trainees.
All-in-all, a movie I really recommend seeing when it comes out Dec. 10. Be there!
The flaming moose,
Burning Bullwinkle
Dale Cooper from over there radios in this one...
Hey, Harry!
First time writing. Call me Dale Cooper.
I had the pleasure of seeing the Green Mile tonight, and let me say this is truly something special. I will be the first to admit flaws in a movie, and this film had a few, but overall, it was the most powerful and significant picture to come out this year. It worked on so many levels, but spoke to me on one in particular. You said at the End of Days screening that people were pissed off about the Catholicism. The Green Mile is all about religion, but Stephen King wisely chose to ignore a specific one. Darabont plays up the religious angle quite well, and I was moved to tears by the implication of the events involving Paul Edgecombe, John Coffey, and God. This is a film that totally inspires faith, and made me question my own beliefs in terms of religion.
The performances are across the board good. Tom Hanks was great, and those two Oscars represent the one he should win for this film. I think since he already has two, somebody else should win, especially since I disagreed when he won for Gump. Sorry, folks, but Travolta was the man that year. Michael Clarke Duncan was a perfect Coffey. I could not picture a better man for the role. He was the vision I had in my head when I was reading the books. The supporting cast was great as well, but these two stand out because they are more understated than some of the others. I admired Hanks so much after his scenes trying to take a leak, battling a urinary infection. And, if he could win an Oscar for playing a retard, then Duncan sure as hell deserves one, although we know the Academy has problems with black actors.
My one major complaint was the nursing home scenes that bookend the film. The story should have just started in 1935 because the first five minutes in the nursing home are slow. The ending of the story in 1935 is so powerful as is that it was kind of jarring to have to sit for a few more minutes to watch the nursing home stuff again, but at the same time there is an important message delivered at the very end, in the nursing home, that would be lost, which I definitely feel helps the film thematically. I guess it was a tough call for Darabont, but at least he cut a lot of the nursing home stuff out. I felt it was the weakest link in the books.
The Bottom Line: It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and it'll make you squirm. When Delacroix goes to the electric chair, there wasn't a still person in the audience. This is one hell of a powerful movie, folks, and it really has something good to say.
This is Dale Cooper, heading back to the Black Lodge. See ya later!
The Bad Scooter from parts unknown put-puts this sweetie in...
Hi, just got out of a Green Mile screening and thought I'd share some brief thoughts. I highly enjoyed the movie. It seemed to be very faithful to the book (but I only read the book once). The acting, directing, and storytelling were all excellent. It was a little long at 3 hours, so see it when you're rested. Also, I didn't really feel any scenes should be cut.
Unfortunately, I do not think this film will win any awards (although it may deserve some). I think it will be too unconventional for many people. There's a small science fiction/fantasy aspect to it, and there's a pet mouse that has a large role. So i don't know exactly what demographic this will appeal to. Otherwise, it was excellent...and did I mention that I highly enjoyed the script--many good lines.
Oh, the other complaint I had was that some of the accents are difficult to understand.
Otherwise, if you liked the book you will LOVE the movie. And it was really nice to get the story all at once (whereas I read the book in installments).
The Bad Scooter
And lastly we have the most negative of the bunch from BIG BROTHER up in NYU...
hi, Big Brother here, i posted a Sleepy Hollow review a while back. Anyway, I'm at NYU where during tonight's broadcast of the film the boom mike was very apparent during one sequence, to the utter delight of the filmstudents. Anyway, I must say that there were some definite problems with the film that I saw. Okay, Don't get me wrong, I thought the movie was good. Great, I don't think so. I think it pales in comparison to Shawshank Redemption. Now you all are probably gonna say well this is a different movie. But it is directed by the same person, written by the same person, and takes place in a prison, so I think the comparison is quite reasonable. There were lots of elements of this movie that were a lot like Shawshank, im not gonna spoil it, but certain sequences and characters were very similiar. Too similiar. Now I never read the book, but after the film I wanted to. Perhaps I should have, and that would have made the film better, but still. I was really into this movie for the first hour and a half. But at the two hour point there was this lagging feeling that the movie hadn't even really started. Then, at the end half hour mark, it's almost as though you can clock every ten minutes another loose end of the plot is tied up. I also felt that the acting was not so wonderfully impressive, and American Beauty and Straight Story affected me way more. At the end, which everyone is right about, the stupid flashback sequences are dumb, dumb, dumb, the tom hanks character talks about the "long green mile." I'll fucking say, three long hours. I'm not against long movies by any means, but you could feel it in this movie. I guess people will like this movie and all, but for my money (i saw it for free) it was not so incredible as all that. this is the spoiler part ::: one would assume that if the wild bill character was working on the farm where the two little girls were killed, and then later he was sentenced to death row for murder, that maybe the parents might have put two and two together. Plus that whole thing about the Coffey guy not being the killer is straight out of Shawshank. anyway, that's all from the eastern front.
