Pros: Wow, the acting is utterly superb, for starters, with realistic (some good others genuinely sadistic) characters and a solid, if unrealistic plot and screenplay. Despite the odd and painfully sad ending, this is a solid film, with great mechanics, score, editing, cinematography and scenic design.
Cons: Well, while this film needed a twist, magic realism, in this case, with convicted killer John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan) having magical healing powers and an ageless mouse with a simple talent of rolling an empty spool of thread toward his owner, is just odd and breaks with the extreme realism of the rest of the film. Still, the film is solid enough to nearly overcome this issue.
Recommend: I think so
Grade: A-
Side Notes:
-As this film occurs in the death row section of a Louisiana prison, there are some truly despicable characters, including the nasty child murderer William Wharton (Sam Rockwell) and the nasty prickish warden, Percy (Doug Hutchison) who doesn't understand or care of the importance of wetting a sponge for electrocution so the poor guy fries to death, leaving the audience horrified.
-It is shocking that so many people would want to attend an electrocution.
-I never thought I would hear Tom Hanks play with a mouse.
-Most creative excuse for not wanting to have sex with your wife: "My water works is still having trouble and I don't want to pass it on to you." Yes, that's the actual line.
-Bonnie Hunt and Patricia Clarkson are the wives and each do well with their painfully small role.
-James Cromwell, David Morse and Barry Pepper provide excellent support for Hanks.
-The two evil men do get their just desserts, with Wharton being shot to death and Percy needs up lobotomized, more or less, in a mental institution.
-Graham Greene's role is painfully small. He needs more good roles in more good films.
-Gary Sinise also makes a cameo appearance as Coffey's defense attorney who thinks he's guilty.
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