No. 30 - Sling Blade (1996)

A Simple Man... A Difficult Choice.

Rated: R (Restricted) for strong language, violence

Director and Screenwriter: Billy Bob Thornton

Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Lucas Black, Dwight Yoakam, John Ritter, Natalie Canerday, James Hampton, Robert Duvall, Brent Briscoe

Movie Introduction: In a southern town, mentally-challenged Karl Childers (Thornton) is released from the mental hospital where he has spent most of his life. When he was young, he killed his mother and her boyfriend with a mower blade. Now, years later, Karl is "reformed" and has leave the institution. As he wanders through his old hometown, he soon forms a bond with Frank (Black), a young boy whose father committed suicide. Karl and Frank form an unlikely friendship immediately. Frank's sheepish yet kind mother, Linda (Canerday), agrees to let Karl stay in the old garage next to their house. This does not bode well with her sadistic, abusive boyfriend, Doyle (Yoakam), who immediately tries to run Karl off. Determined to protect his new friends, Karl, in his own simplistic way, devises a plan to save Frank and his mother from Doyle's cruelty. 

Defining Moment: "what did you do...?"

This film is a slow-burn of character development. It opens with a young high school journalist interviewing Karl at the mental hospital. She asks him about the incident that landed him in the hospital. He recants the incident, with an innocent honestly, that is completely chilling. This opening scene sets the tone for the entire film. (Watch the scene on YouTube.)

Something subtle you might have missed:  "Karl?..."

At the end of the film, Karl meets, one by one, with those he has grown to love. They can sense something is coming.  Each person wants to reach out and perhaps delve deeper or even stop something more ominous.  But as they call is name, "Karl?", and look up, he has already walked away, and he is not looking back. It's too late to stop what's in motion. He is set on the path he must take.

Memorable Quotes:

"That Frank, he lives inside of his own heart. That's an awful big place to live in. You take good care of that boy." - Karl Childers

"What in the hell are you doing with that lawn mower blade?" - Doyle Hargraves

Dad's Review:

There is something divinely Texas about this gem called "a masterpiece of Southern storytelling" by the press. The setting is rural Arkansas, probably about 40 years ago, but it could have taken place in any number of small Texas towns. I recognize these characters, and their southern mannerisms, all captured accurately by the keen eye of director and screenwriter Billy Bob Thornton. This clearly was Mr. Thornton’s personal project, and it would catapult him onto the Hollywood scene.

Slingblade has the feel of a low budget art-house movie, that is, until the strong performances weigh in. Thornton is incredible as the slow-moving, simpleton, Karl. How the heck Thornton developed that character and his many quirks is beyond me. Did he know someone like that? Did he visit a mental hospital and study folks there? His performance as Karl is unforgettable.

This film has its intense moments, but at its heart, it is tender and sweet. The central themes are love, the desire to be accepted, and the essential responsibility to shield those that you love from the harm that is all too common for folks living on the edge of poverty.

At first, I felt a little awkward watching the odd relationship between Karl and the young boy Frank. The natural assumption is, "Why is this grown man befriending a young boy?" - especially someone who murdered his mother!  Yet, that changes when we learn more about Karl, and the simplistic lens through which he sees the world.  He doesn't have intentions. He just sees Frank as a friend, and he grows the love boy.

A real pseudo-father-son friendship develops between the two main characters.

I can’t wrap this up without recognition for two incredible performances. First, what an incredible performance by Country recording artist Dwight Yoakam. I had no idea he could act, but holy molly, he portrays the nastiest SOB I've seen on film in years! God, he is one worthless, unredeemable, piece of masculine shit. He's the kind of grade-A asshole who seeks out a group of folks he can overpower, then being a complete narcissist, he rules over the group like a tyrant, gas-lighting everyone along the way. He was totally convincing.

Second is the late John Ritter and his performance as Linda’s gay best friend, Vaughan. Hollywood too often uses gay roles in movies for over-the-top comic relief. This film, thankfully, does not. Here we see a real person, fiercely loyal to those that he loves. He stands by Linda and her son, even it it means taking on Doyle, her worthless, hateful boyfriend. When Doyle threatens her and her son, Vaughan shows true courage by standing up to the bully. Ritter gives the performance of his career as a man with heart and real strength. 

Onto No. 31... Nearly Noteworthy