Review of The Green Mile: The Execution
Story telling
The drama film The Green Mile (1999), is one that has won many an accolade for its plot and rich cast of actors, in addition to excellent directing. The film has one director, Darabont Frank, Terence Marsh as its production designer, and William Cruise as the art director flanked by a cast of star studded seasoned actors. The main actor, Tom Hanks stars as Paul Edgecombe, a 40 year protagonist who is also the narrator of the story. He is portrayed as the peacemaker with a keen eye helping him discover amazing ability possessed by John Coffey. He acts as an inspiration to the other actors. David Morse is depicted as Brutal Howell. He is second in hierarchy in Green Mile. “A man intimidating by his height, he is portrayed as being non-violent. Brutus introduces irony in the set mainly his nickname brutal does not match his character” (Darabont, 1999).
Acting
Michael Duncan acts as John Coffey, a tall death-row inmate accused of raping and murdering two girls. . An introvert, Coffey is very afraid of darkness He brings a twist to the story line when he chooses death even after being acquitted of the crimes accused. Doug Hutchison acts as Percy Wetmore, the antagonist, and the governor’s nephew. He is used to bring out the theme of nepotism and homophobia. His life is plagued by problems as he is admitted to a mental institution after contracting a disease courtesy of Coffey. Michael Jeter acts as Eduard Delacroix, a brutal murderer and a rapist whose best friend while awaiting execution is a mouse. He is Percy’s nemesis, the latter sabotaging his execution and subjecting him to a slower and more painful death.
Cinematography
At the scene of the execution room, light is variously used by the artist to bring out differential modes and emotions. For instance, to depict the depressed state of the inmates convicted and sentenced to the electric chair, the lighting is rather drab. In a much broader sense, it is safe to say that the interplay of lighting schemes as used by the artists are a reflection of hope and fear. Sunlight, on the other hand, denotes innocence particularly when applied to the instance of the two girls who were raped and murdered. There is the imagery associated with loss of light in the shattered bulbs and glass, a depiction of loss of hope and a show of despair. All these information is conveyed to the viewer via the use of lighting, thus, giving a better comprehension to the view since it appeals to their emotional side. In general, it can be said that lighting brings out the key issues in the story (King, 2000).
The movie Green Mile has various aspects of Mise-en scenes. For instance, the setting is that of a penitentiary at the Cold Mountain. The corresponding setting of these as described, such as the floor covered in green linoleum, wooden chairs, the simple cemented penitentiary walls coupled to the light effects serves to paint a vivid picture of the movie setting. Mise-en scene is expressed in scenes such as during the execution of Coffey. The lighting effects shift to show the differential emotions in the room on the execution of an innocent individual. The blowing up of light bulbs, the weeping policemen, and the shadowy lighting of the room paints a picture of the gloom when Coffey is executed.
The costume used also reflects mise-en scenes. Apart from Coffey, all the other prisoners are draped in black and white attire. All the elements of mise-en scene are craftily woven together to present a masterpiece. The dressing, lighting effects, and figure speech are squarely responsible for placing the movie in its setting, that of a penitentiary. Thus I do believe that the various elements of mise-en scene are harmonious working in congruence and in line with the director’s vision not only for the scene but also for the movie (Seed, 2005).
Editing
The editing of the film was done in a very professional manner leaving no space for hiccups that may have rendered it a low banger in the movie world. The reason as to why people went to the theaters and bought thousands of copies of the movie was due to that factor and since then there have been many attributes to the movie. The movie having been acted in the year 1999 was expected to have very little key aspects of the editing sector that is found in most 21st century films. The films of the 21st century are very professional with a lot of features that leave the viewer at the edge of their seat. However, the editor did a very professional job to make it look like a film of the future. The Green Mile had very rare aspects of camera copying. Camera copying is the aspect of video making and shooting that involves very low technology equipments to create the shots. This is characterized due to the eagerness or the greediness of most movie producers to make their movies hit the lime light and make a great fortune for them. “As opposed to this, the editor of the movie with the collaboration of the director took very imperative steps to make sure that the movie was clean from the start to avoid any kind of negative attributes” (Samuels, 2010).
Another aspect that was given importance while focusing on the movie was the concept of design. The editor of the movie had in mind that the movie was a fictional story and at a point like where there was going to be the execution of the man who had committed child felony, had to make it real. With the poor amount of technology at the time, he was not able to pull that off clearly as it was seen to be kind of fictional even in the movie, a factor that discourages many viewers. However, at the time the movie was released, it was quite a banger as the people had not adapted or found out the new era ways of changing the movies to suit the wants of the viewers. The computers used around the year 1999 did not have adequate software material to edit and this can be expressed and revealed at the point where the black man who was to be executed did not clearly express his power of healing.
The other concept of editing that was not clearly pulled off was again at the point where the special gifted prisoner had the power to heal. This could have been more effective had the editing been done to bring the photos and the action to 3D. 3D is a concept of editing that puts into focus the thought and the combination of the thoughts and acting with the cinematography to bring out the best kind of picture possible for the movie. The thoughts are brought into focus where the actors bring into play the major concept at the particular scene. The scene in this particular case is a point where the gifted prisoner heals the people (King, 1999). At this point and time, the 3D could have been brought to light by the actors portraying their acting skills and seeming a little bit more surprised by the healing than they actually did. The effect on the viewer could have been intensified by the cinematographer ensuring that he zoomed in at the point where the healing was taking place and be sure to grasp the surprised faces of the guards and prisoners that recognized the rare ability that the other prisoner had.
The editing to bring out 3D could have been done by ensuring that the video lacked any traces of mismatched figures at the point to bring the image to the attention of the viewer. Editing the film to raise the tone of the opera music playing at the scene could have made the audience more active rather than passive. “The combination of the factors by the editor could have brought out a spectacular scene that could have left the viewer at a state of enthusiasm” (King, 1999).
Sound
The type of sound system that the movie has is one that leaves a lot to be desired; the rooms where the movie is acted are not well established and thus are very categorical. The sound is not found to be clearly expressed as may be expected. However, at the points where there are jail arguments and misunderstandings, the sound reveals itself in a very established manner. This is due to the pitching that is elaborated. While talking to fellow inmates and ensuring that the guards do not hear the conversations, the sound system is found to be regulated. In general, the whole movie does not have a clearly established system to bring out the various audio aspects that make a film attractive.
Style and Directing
The directing of the film was done at an expertise basis. The director shows characteristics of a competent and hardworking person. This is due to the strict characteristic that he offers in ensuring that the actors get into their positions and perfect each and every line that they bear. Other than the main actors, there are many other actors in the film including Sam Rockwell as Wharton, Barry Pepper as Stanton, Patricia Clarkson as Moores , James Cromwell as Hal Moores Jeffrey DeMunn as Terwilliger amongst others. All these characters do play a pivotal role in the story, even the mouse, Mr. Jennings playing a supporting role in the story (Darabont, 1999). Generally, the director was up to speed with his work and very diligent.
Impact on Society
The film is set in a small prison in a particular town. This concept at the beginning can cause a lot of tension in the society. There were claims that the movie had some aspect of violence due to the place where it was acted. There are some points in the movies that there were arguments among the inmates and more often than not they never ended peacefully but rather a fight broke off. This was very influential in many kids at the time and still to kids who are brought up in the contemporary societies. This is due to the fact that they acknowledge that they are young and that what they are supposed to do has to be inspired by their older people. Many kids who got the chance to view this movie often copied what they saw and practiced the violence in schools and in their neighborhoods.
In the prisons as depicted in the movie, when fights broke out, people rather than trying to stop them, encouraged them by cheering on to ensure that the fights grew. Individuals and even adults in societies may get to copy that and develop characteristics that make them violent to their comrades (King, 1999). For ones that had been brought up with upright teachings, the violence depicted may make them even not get involved in fights they may come across and rather encourage them.
There is also the concept of brutality in the movie. In the prisons whenever the inmates commit a crime, rather than receiving the necessary advice that they ought to be accorded, they are beaten up by the guards and even hurt as a sign of the guards showing authority. In the societies, there are those inhumane people that may result to this kind of brutality from the movie also in an urge to show their authority.” These may be in form of teachers in schools that rather than offering the important piece of advice required, result to violence and may even hurt the students badly” (Samuels, 2010).
The brutality may get large that it may go to the homes and the families. For the father of a family, known to be the leader of the family may get in either drunk or even in a sober state and start beating up the wife. This is to show the authority in the house. As he does this he may start asking for more respect that he gets from the family.
On a positive note, the concept of faith and healing may act as a sign of hope in the society. This may help the people to stop viewing the prisoners as bad and dangerous people but rather offer them some piece of respect as they may have some good aspects embedded in them. Moreover, the fact that the healing takes place, may show some religious aspect and even inspire the people in the society to go out and explore their talents as the biblical scriptures state that everyone has a talent, it is just that not everyone puts it into use (King, 1999). This may further motivate the young ones in their search for purpose in the society.
Genre
The movie is a kind of drama while still inspirational story. This is due to the fact that the setting is in a prison where there is a daily life focus on one of the prisoners. His endeavors on a daily basis bring out the character in him as he is able to cope with the day to day dramas that take place behind the prison gates. The inspirational part of the movie is described by the manner through which he is able to overcome all the different characters in the prison and put his talent to use despite the large amount of scrutiny that goes on.
Setting
From the descriptions, the film seems to have been set to depict a movie or lifestyle characteristic of the 1930s-1950s. The primary location shows evidence of a farm or ranch by the constant reference to plants throughout the movie, in addition to the obvious prison setting. Further, the use of classic music or oldies for soundtrack places the movie setting in the stated period. This shows that the relations of the prisoners and the guards and among the prisoners themselves had not developed and were still arch rivals. Costumes have been effectively used to depict the social status of a character. For example, there is no denying that the prison warders are better dressed in comparison to the struggling prisoners. Further, the characterization of individuals has been done via their hairstyle and make up. The main character has brunette blackish-brown colored hair, the hair having been short, pulled standard straight. This reflects a higher social statue of the individual. The hair of the main antagonist is blonde, the man having begun balding.
Themes
One of the themes described in the movie is the theme of perseverance. This is observed from the manner in which the main character tries his best to go through his days in the prison with all the daily drama that goes around. Another major theme is that of religion. “This is witnessed form the healing actions that are carried out by the prisoner and the glory that he receives from the wardens” (Samuels, 2010). The last major theme to focus on in this context is the theme of violence. All the violence that takes place in the prison is a close description of what the society on the outside and in real life is like.
Film Criticism and Analysis
The referential content in the film is the point where the prisoner shows his power of healing to the guards and the fellow inmates. Due to this, people have credited the film to being inspirational. The explicit content in the film however is described at the point where the prisoners get to confrontations and argue exceedingly. This is claimed by film analysts to spur a sense of violence in the people that watch the movie. This is stated to be very poor in the society and hence there are always arguments as to whom is right. The contextual approach is the most applicable when reviewing the film as it shows what the producer and creator had in mind while making the film. This is the thought of the film being one to inspire people by showing them that even people in prisons have the ability of doing upright deeds.
References
Darabont, Frank. (Director). (1999). The Green Mile. (Motion Picture). United States: Warner Bros. Retrieved from
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120689/
Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2011). Film: From Watching to Seeing. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Retrieved from
https://content.ashford.edu
King, S. (2000). Green Mile. New York: Orion.
Seed, D. (2005). Literature and the visual media. New York: DS Brewer.
The Green Mile: The Execution Retrieved from
http://movieclips.com/TLpbe-the-green-mile- movie-the-execution/
Samuels, D. (2010). The Green Mile. Retrieved on 9th November 2011 from
http://thegreenmile.warnerbros.com/
King, S. (1999). The Green Mile: Screenplay. New York: McGraw Hill Publishers
