Written and directed by Billy Bob Thornton "Sling Blade" gives us a detailed character study of psychopath Karl Childers just released from a mental hospital.
Billy Bob Thornton puts his heart and soul into this believable rendition of a sad and lonely man set free into an uncaring world with no immediate job, no family, no friends. We suddenly feel how desperate the situation is.
This is not a happy film. Far from it, Karl's worldly goods appear to be half a dozen books tied together with a leather belt. One of the books held dear to him is the Holy Bible. He admits he does not understand all of it, but he lives by it. He understands that some men are good and others have evil ways.
He was put away in the "Nut house", as they say, because he murdered his own mother and her lover. All this he confides in a young boy who becomes his firm friend. This wonderfully warm relationship lifts the film at times out of its depressive mood. "I like the way you talk", they tell each other. May be so, but unfortunately for me I did not appreciate nor could I understand the difficult dialects. I am sorry I missed so much. The story however remained clear.
Karl tends to bottle up his emotions with a strange uncontrollable jerk of the chin (a clever piece of acting) and we sense a mounting tension that might at any time put him in a dangerous mood. How would you feel, for example, if he burst into your bedroom at midnight with hammer in hand?
The film rolls on slowly (perhaps too slowly for some) and we meet the local characters that provide him with shelter and try him out on odd jobs such as sharpening lawn mower blades. A quite horrifying part of the film is the determined look on Karl's face as he files away on a steel blade to a razor sharp edge. A man with a plan?
Before the terrifying climax Karl gives the boy his most valued possession, his books including his Bible. A truly heart warming moment.
Billy Bob Thornton's portrayal of Karl is absolute perfection.
Billy Bob Thornton puts his heart and soul into this believable rendition of a sad and lonely man set free into an uncaring world with no immediate job, no family, no friends. We suddenly feel how desperate the situation is.
This is not a happy film. Far from it, Karl's worldly goods appear to be half a dozen books tied together with a leather belt. One of the books held dear to him is the Holy Bible. He admits he does not understand all of it, but he lives by it. He understands that some men are good and others have evil ways.
He was put away in the "Nut house", as they say, because he murdered his own mother and her lover. All this he confides in a young boy who becomes his firm friend. This wonderfully warm relationship lifts the film at times out of its depressive mood. "I like the way you talk", they tell each other. May be so, but unfortunately for me I did not appreciate nor could I understand the difficult dialects. I am sorry I missed so much. The story however remained clear.
Karl tends to bottle up his emotions with a strange uncontrollable jerk of the chin (a clever piece of acting) and we sense a mounting tension that might at any time put him in a dangerous mood. How would you feel, for example, if he burst into your bedroom at midnight with hammer in hand?
The film rolls on slowly (perhaps too slowly for some) and we meet the local characters that provide him with shelter and try him out on odd jobs such as sharpening lawn mower blades. A quite horrifying part of the film is the determined look on Karl's face as he files away on a steel blade to a razor sharp edge. A man with a plan?
Before the terrifying climax Karl gives the boy his most valued possession, his books including his Bible. A truly heart warming moment.
Billy Bob Thornton's portrayal of Karl is absolute perfection.