Paul Edgecomb and John Coffey...

“If God would ask me on my judgment day why did I kill one his miracle, what would I say? It’s my job?”
In the world where we live, all individuals work hard to achieve a status that says who they are. If one is a doctor, he must work by all means to manipulate the medical world for the sake of his patients. If he happens to be a man of law, he must not deal by other aspects of human life other than that which is stated in the constitution. The same scenario happens in the film “The green mile,” where Paul Edgecomb, the protagonist, was faced in a conflict where he must choose whether to follow his will as a man who knows the truth or to act by desirable quality of his profession as a prison guard.
In life, we come across several conflicts that need a permanent decision, which dictates what will happen in the future. This decision, however, must be tough in order to create future circumstances that will either make or break a life.
The quality that makes a motion picture touch the lives of its viewers and open eyes to the reality of life is its ability to transfer the emotions of the characters and the mood of the setting. If a movie was able to pull it out, then other technical problems will be easily forgiven. “The green mile” was able to show such quality without being too artsy and intelligent, which makes it easier to relate to and understand.
Persuasion through emotions has a more striking effect to many viewers. If an actor was able to deliver a performance without making who he is as a star a hindrance, then he is really gifted. Tom Hanks gave an effective portrayal as the prison guard who is caught in a difficult conflict. It was not hard to believe that he is indeed a prison guard.




Michael Clarke Duncan was also effective by giving a really spiritual performance. He has a gift of delivering speech that really penetrates to the viewers’ soul.
In addition, the setting of the movie was not that elaborate. Simplicity is one of the good points of the film. The production design was not destruction to the scenes, but an emphasis to the mood.
Topically, the movie touched sensitive issues on the society. In a society where arguing the conventional is a taboo, it is very refreshing to watch a film that talks about the issues that should have already been a norm. People’s unexplained beliefs should not be latent although not advocated by the Christian teachings; hence, it should be a ground for further understanding life.
Miracles do exist. At some point of our lives, we are faced by miracles that can never be explained even by science. No one has ever actually talked to God; therefore, no one really knows if something is really from him or prohibited by him.
Sub textually, concepts on the film closely tackles the popular, but slightly discussed issue of hiding through arrogant actions by the character of Percy Wetmore. The character was so mean to everyone to cover his shortcomings. It must serve as an eye opener to all that no matter how one cloth his face with beautiful make-up, he will still be seen as who he is beneath the cover.
Life is a conscious choice. Everybody, in one way or another, will be faced in searching his real purpose. No one ought to judge someone of his preference. Everything must be sealed with respect because as an old saying goes, “respect begets respect.” If no one judges others, judgment will not strike back. Believing should not be forcibly applied. It should come naturally.