Writer-director Frank Darabont returns to familiar territory with The Green Mile, a very moving adaptation of Stephen King's story about death row inmates and their guards during the depression era.

Darabont garnered much deserved recognition for his feature length debut The Shawshank Redemption (also based on a Stephen King story) back in 1994. Although The Green Mile doesn't quite capture the dramatic weight of that picture, it's hardly a failure.

Darabont has assembled a dream cast including; Tom Hanks (Saving Private Ryan), David Morse (Twelve Monkeys), Micheal Clarke Duncan (Armageddon), Micheal Jeter (The Fisher King), Graham Greene (Dances With Wolves), Jeff Demunn (Storm of the Century), James Cromwell (Babe), Doug Hutchinson (X-Files), Sam Rockwell (Lawn Dogs), Gary Sinise (Forest Gump), William Sadler (Shawshank Redemption), Bonnie Hunt (Jerry Maguire), Barry Pepper (Saving Private Ryan) and Patricia Clarkson. Along with Robert Altman's Cookie's Fortune, The Green Mile certainly offers this years very best ensemble.

The Green Mile has caught flack for being too long, but it's such an absorbing and emotional experience, that I wasn't at all bothered by the three hour running time.

There are only a few moments in this film that don't work (the elderly character telling the story through flashback has been done to death). For the most part, however Darabont is able to juggle characters and story lines effortlessly.

The Green Mile has many interesting elements. It's a drama, a love story, a morality play, and a super-natural thriller all rolled into one. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of The Green Mile is the bond that develops between the prison guards and the inmates. These scenes are handled with honesty and realism.

Although this is an ensemble, and everyone is outstanding, it is Duncan (as an enormous simpleton who is accused of a horrible murder) and the understated Morse (as Hanks' kind and efficient partner) that are the standouts. Much attention in the film, however will be paid to the lovable Mr. Jangles (a cute mouse that lives at the prison).

Once again, Darabont proves that he is an expert story teller. It should also be noted that this is a surprisingly depressing film with some very intense and grisly execution sequences. However, it is also a film that offers glimmers of hope and happiness. The Green Mile is an emotional journey and one well worth taking.