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What
?
A Steven King adaptation that doesn't suck? Yep, it's true with
exponents. The Green Mile was a book 'series' from the
wicked web master King. It was good, but like all King stuff included
eight page descriptions of things like an evil dishtowel hell
bent on world domination. Yawn-o-rama! Okay, I admit I am not
his biggest fan. This 'adaptation' was a a masterpiece. Like his
Shining days. Frank Darabont-the Screenwriter (and director)
worked magic.
The Green
Mile is just about one of the finest films I have seen since
Life is Beautiful. I just about believe that very thing.
The entire
cast is simply riveting. Down to a Mr. Jenkles an, um, the circus
mouse—literally.
The Green
Mile is what they call death row at this particular prison.
Due to the painted floor that leads the 'doomed' to Mr. Sparky
(universal prison jargon for the electric chair) being green.
We are so used to prison guards beating and torturing inmates
as sport, so it was tough not to sink into that frame of mind
here. In fact aside from the icky poo poo filthy sheets and a
weasel/guard with an uncanny resemblance to a cast member from
Reefer Madness named Percy, prison is a slow easy paced
place for bad bad boys.
Well, till
John Coffey shows up and starts shaking up things 'round the joint.
John's a big huge lug with the intelligence of a gnat. He seems
incapable of a cruel word let alone double rape and murder. Could
they have the wrong man? Guard Paul Edgecomb ( Tom 'Nice Guy'
Hanks) is starting to get an uneasy feeling that just may be da
facts. Coffey has a way about him...Could a real
miracle producing man be amongst the mist of these
God fearin' folks?
How does Tommy
pick these gems over and over? Did he sell his soul or something?
He just keeps getting better and better each and every time he
strolls across a screen. By now you all know I'm smitten with
Spacey, a contender for 'best actor' next spring till now. Tah.
Forget it. The Academy Awards' Ivy League letterboy is getting
his triplet for sure. At least he deserves it more...Hanks has
had a gloriously successful ...Excuse me I have to sneeze...Joe
and The Volcano...aah...ah choo Bosom Buddies, career.
Ah, I'm just kidding. Tom's our boy. Our Jimmy Stewart or Henry
Fonda. You know what I mean? Mr. Squeaky Clean. This man actually
loves his wife and kids. Gosh, I admire that.
Michael Clarke
Duncan plays John Coffey. Tears welled in my eyes about twenty
friggin times. Duncan's got these deep eyes that pull you in and
keep you there the whole time he's on screen. Mesmerizing. Of
course gotta mention he's gigantic in a scary
Sinbad villain way, but, as Coffey he was like a Rottweiler
puppy. Sweet and gentle, if big and clumsy. Bring hankies! (no
pun was intended).
Bonnie Hunt,
aka, Ms. Multi Talent plays Jan Edgecomb Hanks' screen wife. Hunt
was in a favorite sitcom of mine called Davis Rules.
Immediately canceled. Natch. Picture Bonnie Hunt,
Randy Quaid and Johnathon Winters in one show! Eh, don't worry
this chick Bonnie is like Teflon, it slides right off her and
she fries up some more lightly breaded cutlets of comical genius.
Jumanji etc...
Then there's
David Morse. A morsel of lean man meat who plays Brutus 'Brutal'
Howell, another guard on the mile. Morse has been around for like
eva. Dave's a very talented guy-keep your eye out for his name.
Hopefully you'll be seeing him a lot more. He does his character
Brutal with extreme soul and depth. You may recognize him from
Negotiator and this past summer in Crazy
In Alabama..
Harry Dean
Stanton, a fab Jazz musician, as well as actor, is a neat whack
job in Green Mile. Harry's got like 150-160 movies to his
credit. Looks like uncle Jim. Everybody's' uncle Jim. LOVE this
guy!
The whole
cast and script is perfection. I could babble endlessly...and
I often do. But as the flick is kind of long...leave now so as
to get a good seat.
Snack
Recommendation: Corn bread and dry white toast
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