Slingblade
Sometimes actors do great things. Sometimes they don't. Sometimes they play a role so often, we forget that they have other talents. One such actor, writer and director is Billy Bob Thornton. The film he demonstrates such command is the 1996 hit Sling Blade.
Carl (Thornton) is a mentally ill man who is released from the hospital to rejoin society. Returning to his hometown, he is tossed into a friendship that draws him into a family battle. Carl presses through each day, learning, and offering his life experience to his young friend, Frank (Lucas Black.) He then becomes the protector of the family, keeping safe Frank and his mother from an abusive alcoholic boyfriend named Doyle (Dwight Yoakam.)
When I first saw this film, I was unsure how to react. I felt as if I had been cheated somehow: I felt as if Thornton should have written more films, should have directed more often, and surely, he should have acted in roles that illustrate his extreme talent. Never before had I seen such a performance from an over type-casted actor.
Thornton was more consistent, and more secure in his character than I've seen in most film over the past 10 years. His overall command of the film, drawing from his writing, directing, and knowledge of the character brought a performance that draws you in to every second of his life. In fact, the entire cast, from Frank, to the mother, to her abusive boyfriend drew a picture of this southern family so clearly; I honestly believed that it was a portrait of real people. Their strife and struggle to survive brought me closer than any other film dealing with abuse, and alcoholism. Even John Ritter demonstrated his powerful portrayal of a man mixed into a society unwilling to adapt to his lifestyle. His skillful performance, coupled with the rest of the cast, painted a picture I couldn't turn from.
Visually, the film was somewhat standard, drawing from Thornton's experience with the camera. However, I think that a somewhat plain view of the setting helped to bring together the down to Earth feeling, and somewhat dull location of the film. Overall, it made it more believable. And of course, when proper setting works in concert with the actors, and writing, there's nothing stopping this film from achieving all the golds.
Even the music was somewhat haunting, as Carl visits his depressed and destroyed father figure. Played by Robert Duvall, his father helps to bring back an abusive father figure, setting up the parallel between Carl and his father, to Frank and his mother's boyfriend.
Overall, I just can't say enough how powerful this film actually is. Why, Thornton, why have you not explored this talent more? Why have you given us nothing but Bad Santa, Bad News Bears, and other "Bad" related films? You wrote this film. You directed this film. You starred in this film. You did everything right, and the end result was such a strong one.
Check this one out, and be ready. It's tough to watch a family tear itself apart, and it's especially tough to know these experiences first hand. It's a brilliant exploration of solid characters, perfect writing, and masterful acting. 8.25 of 10
Carl (Thornton) is a mentally ill man who is released from the hospital to rejoin society. Returning to his hometown, he is tossed into a friendship that draws him into a family battle. Carl presses through each day, learning, and offering his life experience to his young friend, Frank (Lucas Black.) He then becomes the protector of the family, keeping safe Frank and his mother from an abusive alcoholic boyfriend named Doyle (Dwight Yoakam.)
When I first saw this film, I was unsure how to react. I felt as if I had been cheated somehow: I felt as if Thornton should have written more films, should have directed more often, and surely, he should have acted in roles that illustrate his extreme talent. Never before had I seen such a performance from an over type-casted actor.
Thornton was more consistent, and more secure in his character than I've seen in most film over the past 10 years. His overall command of the film, drawing from his writing, directing, and knowledge of the character brought a performance that draws you in to every second of his life. In fact, the entire cast, from Frank, to the mother, to her abusive boyfriend drew a picture of this southern family so clearly; I honestly believed that it was a portrait of real people. Their strife and struggle to survive brought me closer than any other film dealing with abuse, and alcoholism. Even John Ritter demonstrated his powerful portrayal of a man mixed into a society unwilling to adapt to his lifestyle. His skillful performance, coupled with the rest of the cast, painted a picture I couldn't turn from.
Visually, the film was somewhat standard, drawing from Thornton's experience with the camera. However, I think that a somewhat plain view of the setting helped to bring together the down to Earth feeling, and somewhat dull location of the film. Overall, it made it more believable. And of course, when proper setting works in concert with the actors, and writing, there's nothing stopping this film from achieving all the golds.
Even the music was somewhat haunting, as Carl visits his depressed and destroyed father figure. Played by Robert Duvall, his father helps to bring back an abusive father figure, setting up the parallel between Carl and his father, to Frank and his mother's boyfriend.
Overall, I just can't say enough how powerful this film actually is. Why, Thornton, why have you not explored this talent more? Why have you given us nothing but Bad Santa, Bad News Bears, and other "Bad" related films? You wrote this film. You directed this film. You starred in this film. You did everything right, and the end result was such a strong one.
Check this one out, and be ready. It's tough to watch a family tear itself apart, and it's especially tough to know these experiences first hand. It's a brilliant exploration of solid characters, perfect writing, and masterful acting. 8.25 of 10
posted by Admin at 10:09 AM
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