The other seniors are smiling because they remember happy things of the past, Paul’s crying because it reminds him of his guilt in executing John Coffey even though John said it’s him doing a kind thing so he wouldn’t have to suffer.
mariafox
For everyone in that room it was a simple and beautiful song for Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks) it was a sad and painful reminder of the only innocent man (John Cofey [Michael Clarke Duncan )that he was forced to execute on death row because of false accusations against him
austinforant
It's incredible how they made this film. The first time I watched it I didn't understand why he was crying. The second time I almost cried when the music started playing.
Finestinc
This makes me cry, and it's one of the lesser sad moments in the movie.
isaywhateveriwantandyougot
Dabbs Greer was amazing in this movie. He was not though 108 when he passed on. Rest in peace Mr Dabbs Greer.
anarchistatheist
its insane how you understand everything in this scene after you watch the final execution
adumpster
on the second watching you have forgotten about this and it springs out of nowhere. its just devastating and makes you feel all the emotion of your first watching condensed into 3 seconds.
arfnore
Imagine that you watch the 1990s - 2010s MV when you are old.
thboy
Remember, Paul offered to throw open the gates and let John go. Job and future be damned. It was John who couldn't take it anymore, despite being afraid of the dark.
DonSulis
The song is called "Cheek To Cheek" performed by Fred Astaire from the classic film Top Hat (1935).
philipc
I've been hearing this song in an advert lately and it's had this weird uneasy nostalgia feeling about it. I couldn't figure out where I'd heard it before, I've just googled it and now it all makes sense
mikedownend
Trust me when I watched this first time without knowing the story I almost cried at this scene. Brilliant actor
kapilkumarverma
My great grandparents used to dance 🕺 to this song 🎵 in their living room back in San Antonio Texas, when I was a kid, such a sweet memory for me ❤🎉
robbyanglin
This is the only movie that makes me cry 🥺
fcg
About 15 years ago i first watched this movie. And I couldn't really understand this scene and why the Gentleman was crying on such a blissful moment. Im now 35 and theres things from my teen years songs that when i really get to thinking of what year that came out in. Music/songs/Artists I use to create a timeline for my periods in my life. I once had a couple come up to my counter at work (gas station) and make a comment about how long ago that song came out. And as I kindly chimed in and said it was released in 1997.I also said Don't ask how I know with a smile and that look of 🙄🤷 shame. Her Husband replied are you sure? As he thought it might have been 1998 as they were unsure figuring it amongst themselves. If your curious about who and what song it was because I was ashamed to admit I knew that much like a fan would. Natalie Imbruglia's song-Torn. It played every morning that year on VH1's POP UP video top 10 count down before I had to leave to catch the school bus for 6th grade.
loganberinger
I watched all the Fred Astaire movies before watching The Green Mile, couldn't get the song out of my head so decided to re-watch all the Fred/Ginger movies (most notably Top Hat of which I have now done 2 essays on).
carltrotter
Seeing the seniors enjoy and smile; is enough to make me smile with an emotional hint... Like they've must've seen and or heard this song (and film) many years ago when they were young... that's what makes the thought so nostalgic... even for them.
wkeeble
Dabbs Greer should've got an Oscar nomination for this performance.
canadianscratcher
This scene hurts me. You can just see when all the bad memories come flooding back.
