Review of Sling Blade (1996) by Karen O — 23 Jul 2008
A beautiful film. Thorton's screenplay, character immersion, and subsequent behind-the-camera craft is altogether astounding. I'd like more than anything to see him revisit this sort of filmmaking.
The content would be quite heavy-handed if it weren't for the tranquil location, which is what's so characteristic of Billy Bob Thornton. He has a deep connection with his roots. The beautiful deep southern dialect and the drab greenery and dirt of Arkansas are entities in themselves.
In a way, each character, whether they be a humanitarian or monster, is a product of that place of living through ignorance, negligence, or lack of opportunity. So ultimately, the world of the characters is the conflict.
The stucture of the film, along with the abnormal use of simple pleasantries mixed in with tension, is wonderfully unique. Sometimes warm, sometimes unnerving, but always very personal, Sling Blade is one of a kind.
This review of Sling Blade (1996) was written by Karen O on 23 Jul 2008.
Sling Blade has generally received very positive reviews.
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