Sling Blade Movie Review 1996

Mildly retarded killer Karl Childers (Thornton, making his feature directorial debut) is released from a mental hospital, where he was placed after killing his mother and her lover, after 25 years. Returning to his hometown, he befriends a boy (Black) with problems of his own. His mother is living with a mean, bullying drunkard (Yoakam, in a brilliant performance) who has no use for anyone, least of all mom's openly gay co-worker (Ritter). Thornton's excellent script moves at the slow pace of its hero, providing the superb cast plenty of opportunity to explore the rich characterization and dialogue. Filmed in Thornton's home state of Arkansas.

Distribution

Buena Vista Home Entertainment, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521-1120, Toll-free: 800-723-4763, URL: http://www.bvhe.com

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 134 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

American South, On the Rocks, Mental Retardation, Sanity Check, Childhood Visions, Buddies

Screenplay

Billy Bob Thornton

Cast

Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam, John Ritter, Lucas Black, Natalie Canerday, James Hampton, Robert Duvall, J.T. Walsh, Rick Dial, Brent Briscoe, Christy Ward, Bruce Hampton, Vic Chesnutt, Mickey Jones, Jim Jarmusch, Ian Moore

Cinematography

Barry Markowitz

Director

Billy Bob Thornton

Music

Daniel Lanois

Awards

Oscars 1996: Adapt. Screenplay; Ind. Spirit 1997: First Feature; Writers Guild 1996: Adapt. Screenplay.