Review of Levity (2003) by John R — 03 Nov 2003

From the creator of [i]Men in Black[/i] comes a far more serious film, which chronicles an ex-con's search for redemption.

The man in question (Billy Bob Thornton) is unwillingly paroled after 20 years, and contemplates the five steps to redemption: repentance, undoing the harm, reconciliation with the victim, reconciliation with God, and being in the same situation and doing the right thing. He despairs of the last four ever happening, but feels compelled to hang out by the home of his victim's sister (Holly Hunter), his last surviving relative. He offers to help her with groceries and such. At first, not knowing his true identity, she considers him a dangerous stalker, but eventually decides he's got a crush on her. Her son, named after her slain brother, is involved with some serious gang activity. He has never known a father figure, and at least in the back of her mind, she sees this helpful, decent man as a possible solution.

At the same time, the ex-con is recruited by the pastor of a South Side Chicago church (Morgan Freeman) to help out with his youth program, and his night outreach to young people who attend the dance club across the street. He has a deal where the suburbanites can park free in his secured lot if they attend 15 minutes of his Bible study. We see a bit of his preaching, and can realize right away that he has something of a dark past. Anyhow, the ex-con becomes known as "God-boy" to the clubgoers, since he's the one taking their names down.

One partier (Kirsten Dunst) in particular catches the eye of God-boy, as often times she leaves her car overnight. It turns out she's passing out drunk every other night, and getting rides home from other people. One time when she returns the next day for her keys, he wonders aloud why she does this to herself. She reacts badly, to say the least, but the next time she blacks out she asks for God-boy. The club manager goes across the street to get him, and God-boy pays for a taxi to take her home. After this, she begins to hang out with the youth group at the church. The interaction between the inner-city guys and the suburban girl is great. She knows how to take care of herself, to say the least.

As the story goes on, the pastor is around less and less, and God-boy takes over more and more of the day-to-day operation of the church. He gains the trust of his victim's sister, as he talks to her son about the consequences of murder. One by one, he unintentionally fulfills the steps to redemption, but the burning secret of his true identity would ruin everything if it comes out.

How far can redemption go? Can a murderer ever make up the damage he or she has done? These questions are among those explored by the film, and there are no easy answers, and not much levity to be found.