Hey guys! So finally i have a new blog post for you all! It's been a while since I've posted, I hope you all haven't missed me to much. Anyway, this is a film review of the 1999 film The Green Mile. You'll notice that it isn't in my usual review format, and that's because I wrote it as a speech for my English class. Enjoy!
The
Green Mile is a 1999 American drama adapted from the 1996 Stephen
King novel of the same name. The film is primarily portrayed using flashbacks to the past. The film tells the story of Paul's life as a death row corrections officer during the Great Depression in
the United States, and the miracles
that he witnesses thanks to an inmate John Coffey.
The story revolves around flash backs
of the character Paul Edgecomb during his time as a death row corrections
officer, he as well as the character of John Coffey, are the main characters of
the film. They are however supported by other characters such as Brutal, Pauls
best friend, and Percy, a man who can be likened to a mouse as portrayed in one
seen where Percy is styling his hair while at the same time Mr Jingles the
mouse is behind him grooming himself, a somewhat accurate comparison. Percy,
whom no one likes and who seems to like no one, lands up in the very mental
hospital as a patient where he was intending to work after John shows Paul the
truth about what happens to the girls, also a fitting judgement for Percy.
John, an inmate who has been convicted
for the rape and murder of two girls is sentenced to death, lands up on E
Blocks’ “Green Mile” and befriends the
guards save for Percy. Paul first comes to see John as harmless when John uses
his miracle gift of healing to heal Paul’s urinary infection. Throughout the
course of the film many relationships are built, and many are extended. Paul
and Brutal become even better friends because of the actions that have
happened, the group of guards come to love and care for the wrongly accused
John, and even another inmate, Del, a Frenchman, befriends a mouse. The
relationship between the Warden Hal and his wife is also worth mentioning,
although not focused much in the film. Hal has learned that his wife has a
tumour and is going through a deep internal struggle of how to tell her she is
going to die before she is eventually healed by John.
By the end of the film, we learn that
because John has given Paul some of his “Gift”, he has also granted him an
exceptionally long life. Being over the age of 100, Paul wonders to himself
when he is going to die, wishing it upon himself too. He sees his friends and
family die around him, and sees it as his punishment from God for letting one
of God’s miracles die.
One of the main topics of the film is
perhaps the evils of the world we live in. Other socio-economic topics are
briefly mentioned or portrayed in the film as well, for example the fact that
the film takes place during the Great Depression, a time when many people were
out of work and were doing the best that they could to get by. The film also
takes place in the stereotypical “Southern” states of America where racism was
commonplace and not frowned upon in the least. The supernatural or religious
topic is also present in the film, a man with the power to heal the sick and
mend the injured. Although the supernatural is not primarily what this film is
based around, it adds to the emotion the viewer feels when the unjust action of
killing John takes place.
A topic throughout the film is the evil
around the world, the character John Coffey talks about the matter in excess,
especially towards the end of the film where he is scheduled to die. John asks
to be killed, because it is a way of him being released from the curse of being
able to feel all the pain and anguish around the world.
This film is classified as a drama for
its intense emotional content and sombre tone, but that is an unfair
classification. This film has any moments that are filled with romance, action,
comedy and even the supernatural. This film being called a drama deeply
underestimates what people of different tastes can take away from watching it.
Although it is generalised as a drama it is by no means boring or monotonous,
it keeps the viewer attentive at all times.
This film is most definitely a tear
jerker of note, and is sure to bring a sparkle to the corner of your eye. It’s
a memorable telling of the injustices of the world we will in, but also of the
immense beauty and love that some of the people of the world bring to our
lives.
