Review of Sling Blade (1996) by Madison D — 15 Jul 2008

I like them french fried tators, mhmm.

Karl, played by Billy Bob Thorton, is a mentally challenged man who was put in the state hospital when he killed his mother and a man she slept with. After twenty years in the hospital, Karl returns to his home town.

Karl has had a hard life, being raised in a shed behind his parents' home and burying his premature baby brother, and has a hard time getting on his feet after being released. He's gets a job fixing machinery with the help of the hospital director. He also gets to know a little boy named Frank, played by Lucas Black.

Karl and Frank quickly become close friends. Their relationship is one of the most touching I have ever seen on screen. Through Frank, Karl also meets Frank's mother Linda, played by Natalie Canerday, Linda's boss Vaughan, played by John Ritter, and Linda's abusive boyfriend Doyle, played by Dwight Yoakam.

A breathtaking performance from Thorton in this movie. And a great supporting cast to go along with it, with even a short scene with Robert Duvall playing Karl's father. Ritter does a fantastic job playing the concerned family friend and it's a shame the only thing I have seen Canerday in since this is "Walk the Line" where she plays a June Carter fan.

All in all, one hell of a movie.