The Green Mile

On a Southern prison's death row, a seasoned corrections officer looks back on a season that changed him. Paul Edgecomb runs the cell block known as the Green Mile and encounters John Coffey, a towering inmate whose gentle manner and baffling gift allow him to heal others. As Paul and his colleagues wrestle with what Coffey can do and what the law demands, moral questions ripple through daily routines and personal lives. The story moves between quiet moments on the corridor and tense confrontations with the system, keeping its focus on human response rather than sensationalism, and it never reveals every outcome up front.

Released in 1999, The Green Mile was directed by Frank Darabont and adapted from a Stephen King novel. The cast is led by Tom Hanks as Paul Edgecomb and Michael Clarke Duncan as John Coffey, with strong support from David Morse, Bonnie Hunt, and James Cromwell.

The film left a noticeable mark on popular culture, largely through the John Coffey character and a handful of enduring images and scenes that audiences kept returning to. Its mix of supernatural elements and prison life made it a frequent reference point in discussions about moral complexity in mainstream movies, and certain moments have been echoed in other media and commentary.

Critics and audiences responded warmly, reflected in a high vote average of 8.503/10 from over 18,000 voters. Reviewers often singled out the performances, especially Hanks and Duncan, and Darabont's careful pacing. The movie raises steady questions about justice, mercy, race, and the weight of official power, using the supernatural as a way to test characters' consciences rather than to provide easy answers.

The film also attracted awards attention, most notably an Academy Award nomination for Michael Clarke Duncan's supporting performance. Beyond that, the production drew praise for its screenplay adaptation and for the emotional depth brought by its ensemble, which helped the movie stay in public conversation well after its initial run.