I had almost forgotten what a work of genius this movie was until I came across it this evening on Showtime. Wow! Gets me every time.Billy Bob Thornton has made headlines over the years for his odd behavior, especially during his marriage to Angelina Jolie, but lately he's been pretty tame. He's had some great parts in pretty good to great movies, and I have to say I am a fan. (Well, except for the movie Mr. Woodcock.)
Sling Blade is a work of pure genius. (Did I say that already.) Thornton's acting is perfection. (Should be I guess since he wrote and directed this movie.) He plays the part of Karl Childers in a way that takes you from being a bit fearful of him, to liking him a hell of a lot. In the end, you feel sorry that he ends up right back in the institution, despite what he has done. Or, maybe even because of it. Karl's mind may not be quite all there, but his heart is in the right place....sort of.
The entire cast of this movie just seemed to fit together. Lucas Black as Frank Wheatley, the boy who befriends Karl, was a great casting move. He was a great actor when he was young, although the jury's still out on his more recent work. He seemed to be made for this part. And as much as I really like Dwight Yoakam, he played the jackass Doyle Hargraves so well, you almost have to wonder if he's such a big jerk in real life. (Just kidding Dwight.)
John Ritter was another great addition to this movie. To this day, I can't believe he is no longer "with us" as they say, and this movie is just one example of how good of an actor he really was. No signs of Jack Tripper here.
If it's been a while since you've seen this movie, rent it....now.
If you've never seen it...what the ever-loving heck are you waiting for? An engraved invitation? Well, consider this it. Rush out and rent this thing. Order it from NetFlix. Borrow it from a friend. I don't care how you get it, just get it. Not seeing this movie should be a crime.
