Review of The Green Mile (1999) by Deaththehusky — 30 Jun 2023

If there is an author used to adaptations, it's Stephen King without a doubt.

This genius of horror has seen a lot of his books adapted for the big screen, but if the majority of those movies are frightening, in 1999, the release of The Green Mile directed by Frank Darabont co-creator of The Walking Dead serie reveal an aspect more emotional and poetic of the author.

A journey into the death row that will mark an entire generation.

However, the arrival of a new inmate will disrupt everything.

John Coffey is charged for the rape and the murder of two little girls.

A heinous crime that condamns him to death penalty.

But John Coffey hides something even more surprising, bueautifully interprated by Michael Clarke Duncan, this impressive character will reveal supernatural powers, turning the movie into the fantastic genre.

The commanding officer will be the first witness of it.

The execution commanded by the officer himself, will only be more tragic.

While the wardens and the viewer know that John Coffey is innoncent, Paul Edgecomb has no other choice but leading him to the electric chair.

Paul and his men sit him down in front of the little girls parents.

A strong feeling of injustice overwhelm the viewer and the wardens.

John, affraid of the dark asks not to wear the hood.

A granted favor that will make the last eye contacts even more intense. A death we will witness through the affected faces of Paul and the wardens.

An execution even more affecting, because it strikes an extraordinary human being.

John coffey will reveal his gifts of healer of wich the wardens will end up being witness.

Amazed, Paul and his crew then understand they are in the presence of an exceptional being.

Deeply sweet and motived by love for his neighbor.

And if the doubt settles in the mind of the wardens, it will end up being cancelled.

After finding the real culprit, John Coffey will use his gifts to reveal the killer's identity to the commanding officer.

During a vision, he will be plunged back into the crime scene, reliving the last moments of the two little girls.

The wardens, now aware of the injustice, will ask the convict if he wishes to break out.

John Coffey will refuse. But if John Coffey is innoncent, why does he accept his death ? What if his death was a sacrifice...

During the film, John Coffey is shown as a Saint, a pure-hearted person with extraordinary powers, capable of healing peole and give life back.

In fact, John Coffey accomplishes miracles.

Witnesses of these scenes, the wardens will quickly be convinced by the divine character of John Coffey.

Ready to do anything for him, he is now their guide.

As the Messiah, John Coffey is surrounded by his apostles.

A few seconds before his execution, one last phrase explains the reason for his sacrifice.

After a demanding life feeling all the hate that surrounds him, this colossus is exhausted and bruised.

And the Green Mile will be his Way of the Cross.

John Coffey was a reincarnation of Jesus Christ, whom he shares the initials: JC.

But the history repeats itself and he gets condamned by his people once again.

He will die, surrounded by the people that hates him, carrying the weight of someone else's crime, accompagned to the death by his apostles.

The electric chair simply replaced the crucifixion.

John Coffey sacrified himself to save our souls. There is numerous fictionnal characters who, for the goodness of soul, sacrified themselves to save other people. And if they all have different stories, all their sacrifices have something common : it gives us back hope.