I have a hate/hate relationship with movies base on popular books. On one hand, if the film diverges too far from the book, I always think how much better the movie could have been. (i.e. Absolute Power starring Mr. Clint Eastwood. Hello! The main character from the book wasn't even in the movie.) On the other hand, if the movie is a faithful adaptation of the novel, there is no suspense, no surprise. You know what will happen every step of the way. (i.e. The Green Mile)

That isn't to say this isn't a good movie. And if you haven't read the book there will be one great surprise after another. Tom Hanks is a prison guard in 1930's Louisiana. He's in charge of Death Row (nicknamed The Green Mile). A gentle giant of a prisoner arrives one day and takes his place among the inmates. It doesn't take long at all to discover the new guy has special powers. That's about all that can be said without giving too much of the plot away.

Although Tom Hanks is the star of the film, it never comes across as a Tom Hanks movie. That's a good thing. Michael Jeter plays a doomed Cajun inmate. He appears to be having so much fun that you hate to see him go. Percy Wetmore (character name, I don't recall the actor) is an evil guard. It's almost (almost, mind you) worth the three hour running time to see what happens to him.

Finally, Bonnie (why, oh why, isn't she a huge star?) Hunt plays Tom's wife. I'd pay $10 and sit for three hours to see her paint her garage. What a delight.

Listen to me: Good movie, but I couldn't help but feel something was missing.

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