The Green Mile Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of prison guards discover a magical black guy who can heal people, so naturally, they execute him.

🍿 The Green Mile: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Death Row Unlike Any Other

Set in 1930s Louisiana, the film introduces Paul Edgecomb, a compassionate prison guard working on death row, known as “The Green Mile.” His life takes a turn with the arrival of John Coffey, a giant, gentle black man convicted of a horrific crime. Coffey’s demeanor and unusual circumstances immediately set him apart from the typical inmates. Edgecomb and his fellow guards struggle with the duality of their roles in a system of capital punishment and as human beings.

Unexplained Phenomena

As Coffey spends time on the Green Mile, it becomes clear he possesses unique, seemingly supernatural powers. He heals Paul’s painful urinary infection and resurrects a mouse, Mr. Jingles. These events lead the guards to doubt his guilt and begin questioning everything they think they know about him. The healing process is marked by the strange appearance of swarms of insects from Coffey’s mouth, representing the illness leaving his body.

The True Culprit Revealed

Through a psychic connection with the violent inmate ‘Wild Bill’ Wharton, Coffey reveals the truth about the crimes he was convicted for. It is Wharton, not Coffey, who committed the heinous acts against the two young girls. He also heals the warden’s wife, while also absorbing her sickness and projecting it into a malicious guard, Percy Wetmore, driving him to insanity. Coffey’s innocence is confirmed, creating a devastating internal conflict for the guards.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks): The compassionate head guard of the death row who grapples with moral dilemmas as he witnesses the extraordinary.
• John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan): A gentle giant inmate with supernatural healing abilities, wrongly accused of a heinous crime.
• Brutus ‘Brutal’ Howell (David Morse): A loyal and principled prison guard who is part of Paul’s team on the Green Mile.
• Percy Wetmore (Doug Hutchison): A sadistic and cruel guard whose actions lead to devastating consequences on the Green Mile.
• Eduard Delacroix (Michael Jeter): A gentle death row inmate who befriends a mouse, showing a kind nature despite his situation.
• ‘Wild Bill’ Wharton (Sam Rockwell): A violent and disturbed inmate who is responsible for the crime that John Coffey was accused of.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• John Coffey: “I’m tired, boss. Tired of being on the road, lonely as a sparrow in the rain. Tired of not ever having me a buddy to be with, to tell me where we’s going, coming from or why. I’m tired of people being ugly to each other. I’m tired of all the pain I feel and hear in the world everyday.” – Said to Paul shortly before his execution, expressing his deep weariness with the world.
• Paul Edgecomb: “We each owe a death – there are no exceptions – but, oh God, sometimes the Green Mile seems so long.” – Spoken as the final line, reflecting on the heavy burden of his past and the seeming endlessness of his life.
• John Coffey: “He hurt them, Paul, he hurt them bad.” – Said after touching Paul’s hand and sensing the true nature of Wild Bill Wharton.
• Percy Wetmore: “Dead man walking! Dead man walking here!” – Percy taunting the inmates as they walk to the electric chair.
• John Coffey: “Please, boss, don’t put that thing over my face, don’t put me in the dark.” – Coffey’s plea just before his execution, revealing his fear of the dark.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $60,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $136,801,374
• Worldwide Gross: $286,801,374

💥 The Green Mile Reviews

Personal Review

I was completely blown away by The Green Mile. The story is so heartbreaking and beautiful, and Michael Clarke Duncan’s performance as John Coffey just shattered me. I cried so much during the last half, especially during the execution scene. It really made me think about justice and what it truly means. The scene where he heals Melinda was amazing, I’ve never seen anything quite like it.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Stephen King adaptations”
  • “Viewers who appreciate character-driven dramas”
  • “Those interested in thought-provoking films about morality and justice”
  • “Audiences who enjoy supernatural themes”
  • “Fans of Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic depictions of executions”
  • “Violence and disturbing imagery”
  • “Some strong language”
  • “Themes of racism and injustice”
  • “Mentions of sexual assault”

Professional Reviews

• Rolling Stone: “A deeply moving, albeit lengthy, exploration of morality and faith. Duncan’s performance is a revelation and Hanks delivers a subtly powerful portrayal. Prepare for tears.
• New York Times: “A powerful and poignant film with compelling characters, despite a few pacing issues. The Green Mile challenges the viewer’s own beliefs.
• RogerEbert.com: “A beautifully crafted, emotionally resonant film that will stay with you long after the credits roll. Darabont has once again proven his talent at adaptation.

Audience Reactions

Michael Clarke Duncan’s performance was incredibly moving.: Viewers were deeply touched by the emotional depth of the story and performances.

The supernatural elements added a unique twist to a prison drama.: Many praised the blend of drama, fantasy, and morality.

Overall Consensus: A deeply emotional and thought-provoking movie with outstanding performances that resonates with audiences.

Awards

1. Saturn Award (Best Supporting Actor)- 2000

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Stephen King has called this the most faithful adaptation of his work.”
• “Michael Clarke Duncan was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as John Coffey.”
• “Frank Darabont, the director, also directed ‘The Shawshank Redemption,’ another highly acclaimed Stephen King adaptation.”
• “The movie’s title refers to the color of the linoleum floor in the death row block of the prison.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Green Mile?

The Green Mile is widely available for streaming and purchase. You can find it on platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV, where it’s often available for rent or purchase. Check your preferred digital retailer for specific options, and look for physical media copies on Amazon. This film is also often included in streaming services’ movie libraries so check those as well, depending on availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Green Mile, you might like these similar films:

• The Shawshank Redemption (1994): Directed by the same director, Frank Darabont, and based on a Stephen King novella, it shares similar themes of hope, friendship, and injustice within a prison setting.
• Dead Man Walking (1995): Also explores the complexities and moral implications of the death penalty with a focus on the relationships between the condemned and those involved in their execution.
• Mystic River (2003): A drama that delves into the dark side of human nature, focusing on crime and its profound effects on a community, akin to the intense emotional tone of ‘The Green Mile’.
• The Elephant Man (1980): Explores themes of human compassion and the treatment of an individual who is seen as different, similar to John Coffey’s story, with a focus on empathy and the human condition.
• Prisoners (2013): A modern crime drama that explores the lengths to which people will go when their loved ones are harmed, featuring a morally ambiguous narrative with heavy emotional impact.

🛒 The Green Mile Related Products

• The Green Mile: Special Edition Blu-ray: A high-definition transfer with behind-the-scenes documentaries, deleted scenes, and cast interviews.
• The Green Mile: Original Soundtrack Vinyl: A collector’s edition vinyl featuring all original compositions and songs from the film.
• The Green Mile: Tom Hanks Signed Poster: A limited edition movie poster signed by Tom Hanks, a true gem for serious collectors.
• The Green Mile: Mr. Jingles Plush: A soft and cuddly Mr. Jingles plush based on the memorable character from the movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Green Mile features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Charmaine” – performed by Mantovani
• “Theme from Top Hat” – performed by Irving Berlin
• “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” – performed by Various Artists

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

How To Make The Audience Cry

Curious about the secrets behind making a movie that touches your heart? Check out this video essay that analyzes ‘The Green Mile’ and reveals how it masterfully evokes emotions.

The Green Mile explained by an idiot

Need a quick and entertaining summary of ‘The Green Mile’? This video has got you covered! Join the hilarious ‘idiot’ as they break down the movie in a fun and relatable way.

20 Things You Didn’t Know About The Green Mile

Uncover hidden gems about ‘The Green Mile’! This video reveals 20 fascinating facts that will make you appreciate the movie even more.

The Green Mile: How long will Paul Edgecomb live for?

Ever wondered about the intricacies of Paul Edgecomb’s life expectancy in ‘The Green Mile’? This video dives deep into the details, exploring real-world data and movie elements to unravel a fascinating theory.

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