Sling Blade

Sling Blade on IMDb.

Billy Bob Thornton writes, directs, and stars. Movie came out in 1996 so it's taken me nine years to get around to it, but now I want to share it with you.

I don't even want to start this review with a plot summary. You can get a plot summary or introduction from IMDb. Let me point out the important elements that make this a movie you should watch.

Despite the fact that Thornton's performance as a mentally retarded man can seem a little affected at first (the pants above the waist, the plastic facial expression, the distorted speech) it becomes natural and even a small plot point (Frank's southern drawl: I lahk the way yew tawlk;
Carl's guttural drone: I like the way you talk. mmhmm).

Notice how Billy Bob uses his character to make statements that you just can't argue with. If you ever wanted an example of a director espousing particular views through his movie, watch for the times that Carl talks about what he learned from the Bible.

A child actor who is believable in a role of a child who is almost unbelievable. Frank has seen so much and understands so much and is the only person who truly accepts Carl right from the beginning, because he has seen too much difficulty in his life not to accept someone else with a difficult life.

AMAZING soundtrack. Eerie, not like anything you are used to hearing, so you don't associate it with anything but the long, sad scenes of this movie. And yet you still know. You know from the music what you are supposed to feel. Those moments where the music foreshadows, clues you in to coming events, builds that tension and emotion - they still work perfectl. Brilliant.

rent it now. blockbuster has it.