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I try to keep
my list of favorite actors and actresses
to a minimum, though it can be difficult
considering the number of truly gifted performers
there are in Hollywood. What I try to do
is base my additions to that list to those
who are capable of playing a variety of
roles, and play them all well. There are
far too many actors/actresses that rely
on the ‘one-note-wonder’ of
being able to make movie after movie and
never vary their characterization. Of course,
one of the tops on my list is Johnny Depp,
though he really has nothing to do directly
with this review except to offer an example
of the requirements necessary to have a
place on my list.
The actor in question in this review is
well known enough, but considerably underrated
by the mainstream public. He is probably
known more as being the ex-Mr. Angelina
Jolie than for any of the amazing performances
he’s delivered throughout his varied
career. Well, with the exception of the
role that put him on the map in terms of
celebrity. I’m of course talking about
Billy Bob Thornton.
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Thornton became a media wonder with the release
of the film “Sling Blade” (1996),
with his often imitated or parodied performance
of the simple-minded Karl Childress. What became
an even bigger shock to mainstream audiences was
that that this unknown actor was also responsible
for writing and directing this amazingly powerful
film. Most people didn’t even know this
at first until the Academy Awards rolled around
and Thornton found himself nominated for Best
Actor (losing to Geoffrey Rush for “Shine”)
and Best Adapted Screenplay (which it won.) From
that point on Thornton seemed to pop up in so
many movies that one wondered when he would take
a break.
For the few of you who haven’t been to a
movie in a while, “Sling Blade” focused
on the release of a mentally disabled man from
a mental institution after 25 years of incarceration.
He was convicted for the murder of his mother
and her boyfriend, but was now deemed fit to be
released. He returns to his home town and befriends
a young boy (Lucas Black) and his mother (Natalie
Canerday). Unfortunately, he is also forced to
deal with the mother’s abusive boyfriend
(Dwight Yoakum).
The film moves along at a slow pace, mimicking
Karl’s slow demeanor, and as such the events
unfold without hurry allowing for full character
development. Thornton’s transformation into
the brooding Childers is nothing short of amazing.
Without the use of makeup, he is able to create
the fully-fleshed out character by simply using
body and facial mannerism, so much so that and
even those familiar with the actor nowadays find
him almost unrecognizable in the role. As the
boy, Lucas Black comes across as very laid back,
much like the character he played in the unfortunately
cancelled “American Gothic”, and it
serves the character well. The friendship seems
very natural.
The late John Ritter also starred in the film
as Vaughan Cunningham, the town’s closeted
gay resident. He and Karl also strike up in interesting
friendship in that they are both outsiders in
their own home town. Ritter’s performance
was also Oscar worthy and proved once and for
all that he was a dramatic actor of note. The
one surprise of the film was country singer Dwight
Yoakum, who was not only willing to let audiences
see he was bald under his trademark cowboy hat,
but that he had some strong acting chops as well.
As the abusive boyfriend, there are moments that
he comes across as a truly frightening character.
Miramax is releasing a 2-disc collector’s
edition DVD this week, and right off the bat I
have to recommend it simply on the movie’s
merit. If you don’t have it in your collection,
it certainly belongs there.
Aside from the movie, Thornton delivers a riveting
commentary (of which parts of were recorded years
ago, while other parts are brand new) for this
new ‘Director’s Cut” that also
makes this set a must have. The second disc of
the set has a multitude of extra features, most
notable two lengthy documentaries. The first,
“Mr. Thornton Goes to Hollywood” focuses
on his biography leading up to the release of
“Sling Blade” and comes in at a little
over an hour. The other is a Bravo Profile of
Thornton that runs about 45 minutes. If you’re
into interviews, there are several round table
discussions with Thornton, Robert Duvall (who
played Karl’s Dad), and composer Daniel
Lamois. Then we see Thornton recreate Childress
in a short piece called, “The Return of
Karl.”
Once you make it through these items, there are
a few shorter featurettes that show Thornton behind
the scenes and offer at look a Doyle’s Band
(Doyle being the abusive boyfriend). There is
also a lengthy deleted scene that was originally
intended to show at the end of the credits but
was excised. Finally, there are three text reviews
of film.
“Sling Blade” has held up well after
a decade, and is still a terrific and compelling
movie. If you’ve only heard of it, or had
your friends utter the line, “…mmmm…some
folks call it a sling blade…” and
didn’t have a clue what they were talking
about, I highly suggest picking this DVD up. You’ll
be glad you did. “Mmmm…Hmmmm.”
Directed by: Billy Bob Thornton
Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakum, J.T.
Walsh, John Ritter, Lucas Black, Robert Duvall
Extras: Feature Commentary With Writer/Director/Actor
Billy Bob Thornton, Mr. Thornton Goes To Hollywood,
Bravo Profiles: Billy Bob Thornton, A Roundtable
Discussion With Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam,
Mickey Jones, And Producer David Bushell, A Conversation
With Billy Bob Thornton And Robert Duvall, A Conversation
With Robert Duvall, A Conversation With Billy
Bob Thornton And Composer Daniel Lanois, The Return
Of Karl, On The Set: Billy Bob At Work; Doyle's
Band: The Johnsons; Doyle Gets Pummeled; "Doyle's
Dead" With Introduction By Billy Bob Thornton,
SLING BLADE Reviews
Specifications: Widescreen (1.85:1) Enhanced for
16x9 Televisions, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Studio: Miramax
Release Date: 6/7/2005
Region 1
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Website
We'll give Sling Blade an A.
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