Sling Blade - A Movie Review

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"Sling Blade" is a drama that was released in 1996. Billy Bob Thornton wrote, directed and starred in this film. The screenplay was adapted from his previous screenplay for the short film, "Some Folks Call it a Sling Blade". Thornton won an Oscar for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay and was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role. This film was called a sleeper hit. The budget was $1 million against box office receipts of $24.4 million. CAST Billy Bob Thornton - Karl Childers Dwight Yoakam - Doyle Hargraves J. T. Walsh - Charles Bushman John Ritter - Vaughan Cunningham Lucas Black - Frank Wheatley Natalie Canerday - Linda Wheatley James Hampton - Jerry Woolridge Robert Duvall - Karl's Father Karl Childers is an intellectually challenged Arkansas man who killed his mother and her lover when he was 12. Since then he's been in the state mental hospital. He is going to be released. Prior to his release he is being interviewed by a local college newspaper reporter. He sits in a darkened room and speaks, almost to himself, and very calmly and slowly relates the story of the murders with a kaiser blade. "Some folks call it a sling blade. I call it a kaiser blade. Uh-huh." Karl describes his childhood when he was isolated from his family. He spent time working on lawn mowers and became very adept at fixing small motors. One day he thinks that his mother is being raped by a local man, Jessie Dixon; and Karl kills him. When he learns that his mother is a willing participant, he kills her too. When asked if he will kill again, he says he has no reason to. If you want to find out what happens next, you will have to watch the movie. This is such an excellent film. Billy Bob Thornton has created a very unique character and brings him to life so well. You won't even recognize him in the movie...he has immersed himself in the character so well. I heartily recommend this movie. This movie is rated R. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons (Billy Bob Thornton)