Sling Blade

1996 "A simple man. A difficult choice."

Sling Blade

8 | 2h15m | R | en | Drama

Karl Childers, a mentally disabled man, has been in the custody of the state mental hospital since the age of 12 for killing his mother and her lover. Although thoroughly institutionalized, he is deemed fit to be released into the outside world.

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8 | 2h15m | R | en | Drama | More Info

Released: November. 27,1996 | Released Producted By: Miramax , The Shooting Gallery Country: United States of America Budget: 0 Revenue: 0 Official Website: https://www.miramax.com/movie/sling-blade/

Synopsis

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Cast

Billy Bob Thornton , Dwight Yoakam , J.T. Walsh

Director

Max Biscoe

Producted By

Miramax , The Shooting Gallery

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Trailers & Images

Cast

Billy Bob Thornton

as Karl Childers

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Dwight Yoakam

as Doyle Hargraves

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J.T. Walsh

as Charles Bushman

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Reviews

ultrasween A series of scenic shots of a dilapidated rural community: Karl Childers awkwardly walks, turns and stares directly into the camera; capturing the viewer into his world. Billy Bob Thornton wrote, directed and starred in this intense character study of an anti-hero Karl Childers, a slightly mentally-handicapped man just released from the "nervous hospital" after killing his mother and her lover many years beforehand. Thornton creates such a captivating and well-crafted character, urging the viewer to really get inside his head. Thornton's performance is elevated by the sheer brilliance in every single shot: from the blocking, to the long takes and right down to the well-paced editing. J.T. Walsh bookends the film with two disturbing monologues. This is the definition of a great narrative and a director who knows exactly what he is doing. Sling Blade is the mighty seed needed to nourish any film lover's eyes, heart and mind. S

gcreason1 This movie was so engaging and revealed the acting abilities of every one in it. I was impressed to see on of my favorite country entertainers, Dwight Yoakam, do such an excellent job in the role he played. One would have thought he was an actor with previous experience. John Ritter added a new page to his resume. I'm sad that he's no longer with us, but we have that to remind us just how good he was. Most of all, best of all, was Billy Bob Thornton. He's done such great work over time including Legal Colors. But I have to say that his performance in this film was absolutely incredible!

Chenquana Molique Billy Bob Thornton is so amazing in this movie. He looses himself so completely that it is almost impossible to tell it is actually Billy Bob in the movie. One of the best acting jobs I have ever seen because he never seemed to be acting at all. I believe every person who wishes to become an actress or an actor should be required to watch this movie and learn from one of the best in the business. Everyone did a great job in this movie. But, I know from experience when you have an awesome actor in the lead everyone else works to bring themselves up to their level. This movie is a must see.

gavin6942 Karl Childers (Billy Bob Thornton), a simple man hospitalized since his childhood murder of his mother and her lover, is released to start a new life in a small town.Kevin Thomas wrote that the film is "a mesmerizing parable of good and evil and a splendid example of Southern storytelling at its most poetic and imaginative." Now, exactly what "Southern storytelling" is remains a bit unclear, though this seems to be a common refrain. The good and evil aspects are certainly there.Billy Bob's character is sort of the gruff, pirate version of Forrest Gump. This makes for a strange mix and not everyone is going to find the character convincing. Often he comes across as annoying. But, indeed, perhaps that is exactly how a mentally disabled person would project themselves?