Review of Sling Blade (1996) by Bartek F — 28 Dec 2009

Early in 1990, when Billy Bob Thornton was contemplating writing a screenplay, Hollywood legend Billy Wilder advised him to write something that would allow Thornton to take advantage of his "less than perfect features." Or so the story goes. With that little piece of wisdom, Thornton proceeded to write, direct, and star in one the most bizarre, fascinating, and gripping films of that decade.

Looking for the most worrisome characters in the history of filmdom? We give you Thornton's Karl Childers. Now a middle aged man with a peculiar walk and speech pattern, he has just been released from an asylum where he had been committed since childhood for killing his mother and her lover with a sling blade. But Thornton and Childers have some surprises in store for us, and a few lessons they want to teach us along the way.

Virtually every member of this cast delivers in a big way. Thornton's performance is one of the best ever. No hyperbole here. He is simply flawless as he creates a character that you will remember for the rest of your life. John Ritter is also terrific, and Dwight Yoakam is fantastic as the heel. Lucas Black and Natalie Canerday sell their characters -- important contributions, since the plot would falter without their credible performances as the mom and son who unconditionally accept odd Karl into their lives.

Having seen Sling Blade several times, my only criticism is the protracted scene where Karl and Frank have a long talk at the lake. It doesn't seem to add much to our understanding of these two key characters, and needlessly alters the pace of the film.

But highlighting this singular flaw is nit-picking. Sling Blade is a rare breed -- a fantastic film that is simultaneously grueling, tense, and uplifting. It is also a film that will hopefully give you pause when you pass judgment on those that you might otherwise be eager to condemn.