Writer/Director: Frank Darabont
Starring: Tom Hanks, James Cromwell and Michael Clarke Duncan
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors have made movies that excel like James Cromwell. Ever since rise to fame in the 1980’s, Cromwell has made many powerful movies. Whether it’s menacing guard officers, L.A. police officers or fathers of iconic authors, Cromwell has played many strong characters. Arguably, Cromwell’s strength as an actor has always been his strong screen presence. He is one of those rare actors that has always had a talent for stealing the show in supporting roles in movies which have limited screen time. Even when he is not a central focus of a movie, the actor has left a lasting impression. Despite his age of retirement, Cromwell has never lost his passion for creating engaging entertainment. An actor with strong commitment to his craft, Cromwell has become an icon deserving of an immense appreciation. Throughout his strong career, Cromwell has made many commemorated movies which are definitely worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Cromwell and love all films he has made in his career. However, “The Green Mile” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 1999, Frank Darabont’s movie has stood the test of time as a celebrated prison classic. Packed with breathtaking production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best prison movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance by James Cromwell, who plays a warden seeking to seize control of grim prison. Ultimately, what makes “The Green Mile” an enduring classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most Stephen King adaptations, it discusses strong themes everyone will easily relate to. A captivating drama about prison, there’s many strong reasons why “The Green Mile” is a film worth seeing.
Based on the beloved book, “The Green Mile” tells the story of death penalty in a prison that is hostile. Tom Hanks portrays Paul Edgecomb, an authoritative guard of a prison experiencing tension. Paul has always excelled at doing his job of taking care of inmates in his frightening prison. Assisted by warden Hal Moores (James Cromwell), Paul has always been committed to managing prison. However, Paul’s life changes when he is tasked with taking care of a black prisoner with supernatural power. John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan) is an extraordinary black prisoner accused of a crime he hasn’t committed. Coffey is a kind prisoner that has been wrongfully accused of a crime sentenced to the death penalty. As all the odds become stacked against his favour, Paul soon begins to wonder whether it’s possible to manage a grim prison causing disaster.
Frank Darabont has always been fascinated with the themes of prison. A brilliant director, Darabont has often made captivating movies about prisons causing disaster. His iconic film “The Shawshank Redemption” offered a bold portrait of prisoners seeking redemption in a scary prison. With “The Green Mile”, however, the filmmaker created his first adaptation of a book about death penalty. It was the director‘s first attempt to capture the lives of prisoners that endure the death penalty but he pulled it off successfully. Using strong cinematography, Darabont captures a prison guard seeking to care for inmates which face the death penalty. Darabont effectively uses point of view shots to capture the hardships that inmates stuck in a frightening prison go through. For instance, point of view shots enhance the John Coffey introduction scene. During this unforgettable scene, Paul meets John Coffey for the first time becoming aware of his magical powers as a prisoner. Using point of view shots, Darabont honours a book about prisoners with value. Point of view shots are tricky techniques to use in films. As Curtis Hanson’s “L.A. Confidential” suggested, point of view shots elevate crime dramas about L.A. nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Darabont captures the tension that prisoners sentenced to death are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “The Green Mile” that deserved appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Darabont’s decisions to shoot the movie in real-life American prisons is risky but it pays off tremendously. Darabont effectively uses production-design of prisons to capture the lives of inmates experiencing a decline. For instance, the production of prison elevates the rat scene. During this memorable scene, Paul and his guards seek to play with a rat in the prison corridor causing disaster. By using a real-life prison, Darabont crafts a film that’s compelling with appreciation. Moreover, the musical score is extraordinary. Thomas Newman‘s music elevates the film to another level. It gives the film an intense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden which prisoners bear. Through strong production, Darabont honours a commemorated book about a grim prison.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Green Mile” is a prison movie which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses symbolism to capture tensions that prisoners enduring the death penalty are experiencing. For instance, the symbolism elevates the supernatural power scene. During this inspiring scene, Paul is surprised to discover that John Coffey has magical powers fixing his urinary problems. Through symbolism, Darabont crafts a bold character that audiences can easily relate to. Symbolism is a tricky technique to use in films. As Julian Jarrold’s “Becoming Jane” claimed clearly, symbolism enhances movies about the lives of legendary authors. Nevertheless, the symbolism works well in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Darabont celebrates a legendary book about inmates in prison facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
James Cromwell delivers one of his best career performances as Warden Moores. Cromwell earned appreciation for playing police officers in classic crime dramas. With “The Green Mile”, however, Cromwell took on his most complex role. It isn’t simple to portray the warden of a prison causing adversities but he succeeded. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. With strong expressions, he captures the angst, grief and resentment of a warden struggling to manage his prison. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actors that’s currently working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for James Cromwell, the support cast is also amazing and worthy of praise. Tom Hanks is terrific, capturing the compassionate nature of a prison guard seeking to care for inmates that face disaster. Michael Clarke Duncan is stellar, bringing tension to a compassionate prisoner seeking to assist inmates in trouble. Lastly, Doug Hutchison merits appreciation. As a despicable prison guard, he brings an air of menace to the movie.
Finally, “The Green Mile” will earn appreciation of everyone for capturing prisoners which are hostile. Unlike most prison movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including identity, discrimination and trauma which will strike a chord with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the famous book to appreciate it. The movie delivers a meaningful message about trauma which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “The Green Mile” is one of those rare prison dramas everyone would definitely adore l.
Fans of James Cromwell will definitely enjoy “The Green Mile” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A heartfelt masterpiece about prison, it honours an actor that deserves recognition.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about inmates facing death penalty in a prison that is hostile, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor with undeniable style that has manufactured unforgettable movies throughout his career which are definitely without a doubt worthwhile.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 