Review - The Green Mile

If someone ever says "This is the best movie of the year," chances are very good that they are lying. One cannot presume to say that they think a film is the best of the year unless they have seen every single movie made that year. Way back in September when I saw American Beauty, I was raving about how wonderful it was. When I saw Dogma, I thought I felt the same way, but in retrospect American Beauty was still better. In December when I saw Being John Malkovich, I decided that it was a very good film, but at the time I wasn't too sure about it. When I think about it now, however, I rate it higher than American Beauty. But now I have seen The Green Mile, and that has sent my entire theory into upheaval again.

The Green Mile is a brilliantly written, marvellously acted piece of cinema that I absolutely adored. Its runtime is more than three hours, making it longer than The Insider, but I found this film to be more enjoyable. I can't say that I'm a big Tom Hanks fan (I was one of the few that couldn't bear to watch Saving Private Ryan again if you paid me), but I found him endearing in this movie. Michael Clarke Duncan, who I was first introduced to in The Whole Nine Yards is absolutely remarkable and brilliant. If I hadn't heard from Duncan himself on the radio that Mile was his first movie gig, I wouldn't have believed it.

The Oscar race is not over until Billy Crystal sings on the 26th. (At least I hope he sings; remember the inspired Titanic/Gilligan's Island theme of '97?) Until I hear the final word from the presenters, I don't know if I'll be sure what film to truly love. As Malkovich isn't nominated, however, I might still be in the dark. I'm not afraid of it, though. :o) Certainly I can figure it out for myself after all.

And now, that said, who wants to buy me a cute little spool-fetching mouse that I can name Mr. Jingles?

Grade - A

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