AS those who know me would attest, I am an AVID “Tom Hanks Fan”…just ask Carolyn.
SO..when the opportunity came before me about a week ago to view (for the millionth Time) one of his well-known movies, I could NOT say, “NO!” The movie to which I refer is THE GREEN MILE.
Now, I watched this cinematic marvel literally dozens of Times; yet, whenever a new opportunity arises, I clear my schedule and sit entranced in front of the screen.
For those who are not familiar with this story, here’s the basic line of the plot.
Hanks plays the role of a prison guard (actually, the head guard…the person directly in line under the Warden). In his role as Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks) walked the “mile” (the length from an inmate’s cell to the area in which he would be executed) with a variety of cons.
However, he had never encountered someone like John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), a massive black man convicted of brutally killing a pair of young sisters. Coffey had the size and strength to kill anyone, but not the demeanor. Beyond his simple, naive nature and a deathly fear of the dark, Coffey seemed to possess a prodigious, supernatural gift.
As the story unfolds, Paul (Hank’s character)began to question whether Coffey was truly guilty of murdering the two girls. Not long after being convicted, Coffey shows he has a miraculous healing ability by instantaneously healing another guard’s urinary tract infection. He also heals Mr. Jingles’ [another inmate who is soon executed], pet mouse, after a guard steps on him in attempt to kill him.
Later in the story, John Coffey is transported under the heaviest guard to the home of the Warden. Here the Warden’s wife lies in bed in the final stages of Life. Her Time in this world has come to an end…she is on the brink of Journeying onwards.
When the guards “smuggle” John out of the prison to see Melinda, she is a mere shadow of herself. One may go as far as saying that she acts as if possessed. Her bedroom stinks atrociously, and she has a malicious, horrible look on her face and because of her disease she keeps hurling crude and blasphemous words at everyone she sees.
Coffey is led to her bedside…here he speaks to her gently, and then leans in, kisses her and heals her with his all-encompassing love and kindness.….drawing from her, through the miracle of his breath, all the disease and evil from her body. She is completely healed! Later, he expels the deadly breath he withdrew from her in another scene.
Despite all of the Goodness and Love which he expresses, nothing can save the character of John Coffey from suffering execution.
In fact, In spite of his innocence, John Coffey accepts his destiny and is ready to die. Paul accepts his wishes although he doesn’t want to kill what he believes that is a miracle from God.
Coffey tells Paul that he has been through enough psychical experience with humanity’s cruelty and that he is ready to die
Later, well after his demise, Coffey’s innocence is discovered. The two young girls whom John Coffey was convicted of raping and murdering, were actually killed by the character who was an employee on their parents’ homestead.
The plot moves rapidly forward to an era many years later…an era in which Hank’s character has long since retired from his duties/job at the prison. In a visit to one of the surviving characters’ Paul (Hanks) is overcome…he witnesses the mouse, Mr. Jingles, which John Coffey “resurrected” over 64 years prior.
Hence, Mr. Jingles represents the true possibility of immortality…and the hope of LIFE.
Thus, Coffey’s Love proves ETERNAL!
SO, WHAT’S THE MEANING OF IT ALL?
When you look into the eyes of another Person, what do you see? Can you “sometimes” envision the difficulties with which THEY are faced?
Or does the LOVE they share with you and with others serve to “mask” their problems? Take the Time to truly appreciate their deep, deep LOVE they express for Lives other than their own...and their placing of those Lives in front of their own.
Looking at John Coffey, one views a true “giant” of a man. One whom we could easily assume would be capable of horrendous acts of violence and hatred.
BUT…to assume this viewpoint, would be to commit a considerable error.
Underneath all of his superficial appearances and pain, this character is one of the kindest and most loving of ALL.
Most of all, take the Time in your own Life to share the Gift of your Love with others. Hope for each of us and for our entire Planet is born through the Love you express.
The strongest people take the Time to help others…even if they are struggling with their own personal demons.
MAY EVERY MOMENT OF YOUR EVERY DAY BE FILLED WITH LOVE, PEACE, AND HOPE!
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