The Green Mile (1999)

All Critics (133) | Top Critics (34) | Fresh (105) | Rotten (27) | DVD (34)

Much of the three-hour movie takes place in the prison, but the resonant characterization, expansive plotting, and judicious use of exterior locations and flashbacks turn the walls into windows.

April 8, 2011 Full Review

Lisa Alspector

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

To more than a few viewers, this one will feel like a life sentence.

August 24, 2008 Full Review | Comments (14)

Richard Corliss

TIME Magazine

Top Critic

The supernatural elements carry an undeniable emotional charge, but the solution to the underlying murder mystery is disappointingly tidy and trite.

June 24, 2006 Full Review

Derek Adams

Time Out

Top Critic

Three long hours of wind, an exercise in titanic self-importance intent on passing off klunky rhetoric as poignant drama.

April 25, 2003 Full Review | Comments (2)

Rick Groen

Globe and Mail

Top Critic

Superior craft is something we've come to expect from modern movies, but not soul. It's the soul of this movie that's so heartening.

January 1, 2000 Full Review | Comment (1)

Joe Baltake

Sacramento Bee

Top Critic

The Green Mile often grabs, and generally holds, one's attention through the long journey.

January 1, 2000 Full Review

Todd McCarthy

Variety

Top Critic

Thoughtful, intelligent movie for older teens.

December 28, 2010 Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

...despite the clichés and stereotypes, the film's cast manages to lift it from the depths of the commonplace and make watching it enjoyable.

December 6, 2009 Full Review

John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

How many blockbusters deal with that kind of grief?

October 18, 2008 Full Review

Rob White

Sight and Sound

Though the film drifts off down some long blind alleys, when Darabont exercises discipline the result is highly effective.

August 24, 2008 Full Review

Film4

Dotted with many fine moments, clotted with a few flabby ones.

February 14, 2008 Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

eFilmCritic.com

Overextending its welcome, Frank Darabont's film is the most commercially popular adaptation of a Stephen King novella, but it's also a slow, often dull prison drama.

February 5, 2008 Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Although The Green Mile is a satisfying and affecting movie, it's not The Shawshank Redemption -- not by a long shot.

May 26, 2006 Full Review | Comments (3)

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

One of the best prison films ever made.

December 6, 2005 Full Review | Comment (1)

Ron Wells

Film Threat

Mr. Jingles was robbed! (no mouse-Oscar)

January 1, 2005 Full Review | Comments (2)

Staci Layne Wilson

StaciWilson.com

This movie is being described as inspiring? To me it just seems morbid, melancholy, sad, and far too long.

December 6, 2004 Full Review | Comments (9)

Jeffrey Overstreet

Looking Closer

Of all the movies based on King novels, The Green Mile ranks near the top -- but below Darabont's first, The Shawshank Redemption.

June 26, 2004 Full Review

Judith Egerton

Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY)

Darabont explores the range of human kindness and cruelty as he lovingly and patiently sculpts his large cast of characters against magnificent scenery.

February 17, 2003 Full Review

Hollywood.com

Hanks and the other guards' acting is impeccable as would be expected, but Duncan and his fellow prisoners are also disturbingly real.

February 8, 2003 Full Review

John R. McEwen

Film Quips Online

A deeply racist movie, though clearly none of the filmmakers thinks so... By the picture's end, we are asked to grasp electrocution as in some way an act of benevolence.

January 10, 2003 Full Review | Comments (29)

Nick Davis

Nick's Flick Picks

Suffice it to say you must be willing to buy some pretty incredible stuff if you want to enjoy this experience.

October 21, 2002 Full Review

Jean Lowerison

San Diego Metropolitan

Its emotional rewards outshine its faults.

October 15, 2002 Full Review

Margaret A. McGurk

Cincinnati Enquirer

• 1. John Coffey: I'm tired, boss. Tired of being on the road, lonely as a sparrow in the rain. I'm tired of never having a buddy to be with, to tell me where we's going to, coming from or why. Mostly, I'm tired of people being ugly to each other. I'm tired of all the pain I feel and hear in the world every day. There's too much of it. It's like pieces of glass in my head, all the time. Can you understand?"
  – Submitted by Lilly P (6 months ago)
• 1. John Coffey: People hurt the ones they love. That's how it is all around the world.
  – Submitted by Adam O (8 months ago)
• 1. Paul Edgecomb: I've done some things in my life I'm not proud of, but this is the first time I've ever felt in real danger of hell.
  – Submitted by Adam O (8 months ago)
• 1. Paul Edgecomb: I just can't see God putting a gift like that in the hands of a man who would kill a child.
  – Submitted by Adam O (8 months ago)
• 1. John Coffey: I helped Del's mouse become a circus mouse. Gonna live in a mouse city. Down in...
  – Submitted by Adam O (8 months ago)
• 1. Paul Edgecomb: John... I have to ask you something very important now.
  2. John Coffey: I know what you gonna say. You don't have to say it.
  3. Paul Edgecomb: No, I do. I do. I have to say it. John... tell me what you want me to do. You want me to take you out of here? Just let you run away? See how far you could get?
  4. John Coffey: Why would you do such a foolish thing?
  5. Paul Edgecomb: On the day of my judgement... when I stand before God... and he asks me why did I... did I kill one of his true... miracles... what am I going to say? That it was my job? It's my job.
  6. John Coffey: You tell God the Father it was a kindness you done. I know you're hurting and worrying. I can feel it on you. But you ought to quit on it now. I want it to be over and done with. I do. I'm tired, boss. Tired of being on the road, lonely as a sparrow in the rain. I'm tired of never having me a buddy to be with... to tell me where we's going to, coming from, or why. Mostly, I'm tired of people being ugly to each other. I'm tired of all the pain I feel and hear in the world... every day. There's too much of it. It's like pieces of glass in my head... all the time. Can you understand?
  7. Paul Edgecomb: Yes, John, I think I can.
  – Submitted by Michael M (9 months ago)