Review of Sling Blade (1996) by Lansden S — 29 May 2016
This is the movie that turned Billy Bob Thornton from a good actor to a great actor.
Thornton stars as a character named Karl Childers, a shy, lonely, retarded man who has been in a mental hospital most of his lie for killing his mother and her lover. After being released he quickly finds a job as a mechanic for lawn mowers and befriends a 12 year old boy Frank. Frank and Karl instantly hit it off and after some time Karl moves in and lives in Frank and his mothers garage. Karl soon learns about Franks mothers abusive boyfriend. "Doyle", is a drunk construction worker who doesn't tolerate anyone but himself.
Early on in the movie Frank tells his mother that he loves Karl and even quotes "I love the way he talks". And thats what you get when you watch the movie. He is one of the more unforgettable characters in recent memory. Not only is it his voice, there is something about his demeanor and the way he walks. He is a simple kind man at heart.Thornton does an excellent job of not only playing the character but also directing and writing the movie. There are some shots in the movie that are breathtaking and riveting.
In some ways I wish there were more people like Karl Childers in the world.
This review of Sling Blade (1996) was written by Lansden S on 29 May 2016.
Sling Blade has generally received very positive reviews.
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