Wow. Just, wow. Billy Bob Thornton’s “Sling Blade” is truly a classic. I didn’t believe the hype all of the way, considering that Thornton has been in some SHIT movies (“Bad Santa,” the “Bad News Bears,” remake, “Mr. Woodcock”) so I just always assumed he was a shitty actor. Boy, was I WRONG! I found out about this film through my theater class. All we watched was the opening monologue, (which turned out to be comprised of the original short film that this film is based off of, ) and it blew me away. I almost don’t want to say anymore than just watch it, watch “Sling Blade” right now. I will give you my Netflix password. Stop what you are doing, and watch this film.
The film is written, directed, and starred by Thornton. He plays the role of Karl Childers, a mentally retarded man who is released from a mental institution for the murder of his mother and her lover 25 years prior. He was only 12 years old. His release into the world finds him in the company of a young boy named Frank Wheatley (Lucas Black) and his mother Linda (Natalie Canderday). He takes to living in Frank’s family’s garage and tries to help the boy deal with his mother’s abusive boyfriend, Doyle Hargraves (played by songwriter Dwight Yoakam) . As the film progresses, Karl comes to understand more and more how cruel the world outside the hospital is to the good people that have taken him in. I really want to refrain from spoiling anything else about the plot.
The acting on all parts is phenomenal. Thornton becomes Childers in all forms. He goes so far as to alter his face and voice and it comes off as totally believable. Black is actually a pretty impressive child actor. I didn’t find myself questioning his performance for a second. Yoakam really impressed me as an alcoholic deadbeat and really played it straight. Considering that an alcoholic is a really easy role to screw up, I was thoroughly impressed. The direction that Thornton provided was fantastic. Shots look beautiful and the scenery of the south in spring that the film uses is really breathtaking.
This film gets five stars easily. I don’t know how I could give it any less. Seriously, watch this film, it’s worth the time and trouble in spades. I will personally apologize you if you are dissatisfied.