The Green Mile

While sitting in a Louisiana assisted-living facility, Paul Edgecomb is overcome with nostalgia as he watches *Top Hat*. His emotional response alarms his companion, Elaine, who is concerned about the tears spilling down his face.

Paul confides in Elaine that the film has triggered a flood of memories from his past as an officer on the Green Mile death row at Cold Mountain Penitentiary. This moment serves as a bridge to his recollections of the inmates and the events that took place there.

In 1935, Paul supervises a team of corrections officers, including Brutus 'Brutal' Howell, Dean Stanton, Harry Terwilliger, and Percy Wetmore. Percy, leveraging his connection to the governor's wife, exercises his power over the inmates, enjoying sadistic pleasure in his punishments.

The officers struggle with the volatile behavior of inmate William 'Wild Bill' Wharton, who frequently assaults them and directs racial slurs at John Coffey. This creates a hostile environment on the Green Mile, highlighting the tensions present in the prison.

Despite his size and the charges against him, John Coffey reveals extraordinary healing abilities when he cures Paul's painful bladder infection with just a touch. Additionally, he revives Delacroix's pet mouse, Mr. Jingles, leading Paul to question John's guilt.

Percy's sadistic nature becomes evident during Del's execution, where he exacerbates the traumatic experience for everyone involved. The other officers, disgusted by his behavior, decide to confine him in a padded cell for reflection on his actions.

Under the cover of night, the officers decide to sneak John out of prison, allowing him to heal Warden Moores’ wife, Melinda, who suffers from a brain tumor. This act solidifies the bond between Paul and John, showcasing the depth of John's abilities.

After Melinda’s miraculous healing, Percy finds himself in a catatonic state due to a backlash of John's ability transferring her affliction to him. This fateful twist leads to Percy being institutionalized, exposing the consequences of his cruelty.

John shares a prophetic vision with Paul, revealing that Wild Bill was responsible for the crimes he was wrongfully convicted of. This knowledge provides Paul with a sense of closure and a connection to John's supernatural essence.

As John's execution approaches, he expresses a desire to watch *Top Hat* one last time with his fellow guards. This poignant request encapsulates the deep friendship and impact he has made on Paul and the other officers.

When on the path to the electric chair, John is filled with fear and begs for the hood not to be placed over his head. The emotional weight of this moment is shared by Paul and the officers, who feel the burden of his unjust fate.

Following John's execution, Paul reflects on the haunting experience, which was the last execution he and Brutal witnessed before they left their positions. They were forever changed by John's story as they decided to devote their lives to the juvenile justice system.

Paul mentions to Elaine that Mr. Jingles, the pet mouse, continues to thrive due to John's healing powers. This revelation serves as a bittersweet reminder of the extraordinary bond formed during their time on the Green Mile.

Now aged 108, Paul reveals to Elaine that he has been cursed with an unusually long lifespan since the execution. This haunting truth reveals the cost of his prolonged existence, filled with memories of loss and the pain of outliving loved ones.

As Elaine departs from life, Paul is forced to confront his own mortality and the tragedy of his prolonged existence. This deeply affects him as he reflects on the meaning of life and death, highlighted by the quote about the Green Mile being unbearably long.