Having seen the movie, The Green Mile, and read the novel of the same name by Stephen King, I am glad to say that the movie stays true to the book, which in itself is a great read. I read the book in one setting about a year ago, and after seeing the movie, I didn't see one scene from the book, or one plot point, left out. There were a few minor changes from the book but which in no way detract from either work. As far as performances, I can imagine many people pointing to Michael Duncan as John Coffey or Tom Hanks as Paul Edgecomb as the best performances of the movie, and they are good, but I would hope that Michael Jeter would receive recognition for portraying Eduard Delacroix. He plays Delacroix exactly as I pictured him when I read the book. I can very well see why King himself said this is his favorite of the movies adapted from his novels. It is the only one played out as he had written it. I wouldn't compare this movie or the book to (Rita Hayworth and) The Shawshank Redemption because that would be unfair to both. They are both great, but are both different. The Green Mile isn't a movie about hope and friendship, as The Shawshank Redemption was, it is a movie about a miracle of a man, and the people he affects. But like The Shawshank Redemption, I give The Green Mile 4 out of 4 stars. Great story, great cast, great look.
Reviews
2 Reviews
Arlington Road
(1999)
Good, but could have been better
23 July 1999
Arlington Road is a well written story... but a few points in the movie should have been changed.
For one, the movie was excellent right up until we learn that Robbins character is for certain the terrorist. This should have never happened so soon, it should have been hidden until the end of the movie. What made the movie so good prior to this was Jeff Bridges paranoia. Once that was gone, the movie played itself out in obvious fashion, except for a twist at the end, which I won't give away but I thought it some what made up for the decline in the story.
There were several ways they could have taken the story, and any number of them would have kept the audience twice as riveted until the end. Instead, the movie makes takes a weird turn when we learn the truth of Robbins character. Unknown/uncertainty makes a thriller. Once that is lost, so is the audience.
All said, I would recommend this movie. The acting is good, and a few minor details aside, I found myself interested in the movie.
Give it a 7 out of 10.
For one, the movie was excellent right up until we learn that Robbins character is for certain the terrorist. This should have never happened so soon, it should have been hidden until the end of the movie. What made the movie so good prior to this was Jeff Bridges paranoia. Once that was gone, the movie played itself out in obvious fashion, except for a twist at the end, which I won't give away but I thought it some what made up for the decline in the story.
There were several ways they could have taken the story, and any number of them would have kept the audience twice as riveted until the end. Instead, the movie makes takes a weird turn when we learn the truth of Robbins character. Unknown/uncertainty makes a thriller. Once that is lost, so is the audience.
All said, I would recommend this movie. The acting is good, and a few minor details aside, I found myself interested in the movie.
Give it a 7 out of 10.
Tell Your Friends