The Green Mile

The Green Mile (1999)

1 commented-on entry since 12 Dec '24, 05:47

(27 votes)

Question: How long will Old Paul live for?

Answer: At the end of the movie, it's discovered that Mr. Jingles is 64 years old. This is about sixteen times the life span of a regular mouse. Since this logic could apply to Paul, he could live anywhere between 1,300 and 1,500 years.

Nice idea but the math ain't mathin'. Your equation presumes that Mr. Jingles dies at age 64. But he is still alive! It seems more likely that John Coffey gave Paul and Mr. Jingles an indefinite natural life. They live forever unless something kills them. I'm sure if Paul was in a plane explosion over the Atlantic, he would die.

This is actually much simpler than either one of you are making it out to be: the answer is, there is no answer. We know that Paul and Mr Jingles are going to live longer lives because of John Coffey, and anything beyond that is pure speculation. I think this was intentionally left vague to keep the audience without a clear answer to Paul's fate, just like Paul is left without a clear answer.

jshy7979

It is implied in one of the very last shots that Mr. Jingles dies. Furthermore, Paul specifically says in the voice-over that he will not have an indefinite life, just an extended life.

Answer: Paul and the mouse both aged considerably. No one ever said they weren't aging, just that the power from John was making them live extremely long lives.

MovieFan612

Answer: If Paul could live to be that old then he would still be looking young. He would not be looking like a centenarian.

Gravity is relentless.

MovieFan612

Answer: Since John Coffey was able to die via execution, we can assume that Paul could be killed. This means that, like John, Paul would have to choose to die. All we know is that John gave Paul a piece of himself - perhaps that piece was immortality?

Visible crew/equipment: Just before John Coffey is about to be executed, he's sitting on his chair in the cell. As he stands up, you see him lift his leg onto a platform. The platform was used to make him look about a foot taller than he actually is. (02:38:00)

More mistakes in The Green Mile

Old Paul Edgecomb: I'm a hundred and eight years old, Elaine. I was forty-four the year that John Coffey walked the Green Mile. You mustn't blame John. He couldn't help what happened to him...he was just a force of nature. Oh I've lived to see some amazing things Elly. Another century come to past, but I've...I've had to see my friends and loved ones die off through the years... Hal and Melinda...Brutus Howell...my wife... my boy. And you Elaine...you'll die too, and my curse is knowing that I'll be there to see it. It's my atonement you see; it's my punishment, for letting John Coffey ride the lightning; for killing a miracle of God. You'll be gone like all the others. I'll have to stay. Oh, I'll die eventually, that I'm sure. I have no illusions of immortality, but I will wished for death...long before death finds me. In truth, I wish for it already.

More quotes from The Green Mile

Trivia: In the movie John Coffey has sort of a "messiah"-like role. His initials J.C might be a reference to Jesus Christ, as this is very fitting for his role. [This is a not-so-subtle attempt which places Paul Edgecomb in the role of Pontius Pilate]

More trivia for The Green Mile

Question: Why does Percy like to bully Delacroix so much? Does he hate foreigners?

Answer: No. Percy is just a typical bully who abuses his power and enjoys picking on people he thinks are weak plus, as a guard, he can do it all he wants without facing any form of punishment.

Answer: Percy was also struggling with the homosexual tendencies of Delacroix. Further evident when Wild Bill grabs him and says some nasty things to him.

MovieFan612

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