The Green Mile Review

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his lowly position as a poor black man, asks to have the execution proceed. His only request is to watch a flicker show. Paul arranges for him to see the Fred Astaire movie called “Top Hat”.

The executions are graphically portrayed. One is particularly gruesome because of the evilness of the whiny, rookie guard, Percy, who deliberately causes a prisoner, Del, to suffer in the extreme. After giving the orders for Coffey’s execution and watching him die, Paul quits his job.

As an elderly Paul finishes his story, he notes that he requested a transfer to a youth detention center, where he spent the remainder of his career. Paul finally reveals to Elaine that he is far older than thought possible,as is Mr. Jingles who is still alive six decades later. Paul explains that he was 44 years old at the time of John’s execution and that he is now 108. Paul and the mouse were "infected with life” when touched by Coffey. Paul believes his outliving all of his relatives and friends to be a punishment from God for having John executed, and wonders how long it will be before his own death.

Coffey’s supernatural healing powers lead to his own destruction. He is the personification of the empathetic healer who only seeks to lessen the pain of others. The movie contrasts goodness (Coffey, Paul and most of the guards, the warden) with pure evil (Percy the guard, "Wild Bill”-the true killer). The important themes in this film/novel include human worth, power, faith, death, and love.