Figure 1.-- "Sling Blade" is another in a long tradition of southern gothic films. |
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This is a very interesting and intense film. "Slingblade" is a modern morality play. The film is the work of Billy Bob Thornton who wrote, directed and stars in the film. "Sling Blade" is another southern gothic tale. The main character is of course Thorton who plays a troubled man named Karl. Karl wcommitted a terrible crime and was encarcerated in a state asylum for 25 years, but has just been released. He returns to his boyhood home. He is now a gentle soul and manages to get a job. An inprobable friendship develops with a boy and his widowed mother. The inmate and the boy bond. ex=con & the boy bond in a wonderful way. Then an abusive boyfriend reappears and trouble begins. This talented young actor was in several excellent films.
This is a very interesting and intense film. "Slingblade" is a modern morality play. The film is the work of Billy Bob Thornton who wrote, directed and stars in the film. Thorton won an Oscar for the screenplay. "Sling Blade" is another southern gothic tale.
The film is set in a small southern town.
The film has a contemporary setting.
The main character is of course Thorton who plays a troubled man named Karl a mentally challenged man. He befriends a boy name Frank (played by Lucas Black) and his widowed mother (Natalie Canerday). Her abusive boyfriend (Dwight Yokum) disapproves. The film also stars the late John Ritter as a neighbor who is a friend of the boys mother.
Lucas Black was excellent in the role, showing a mixture of toughness and vulnerability. The relationship between Carl and Frank is wonderfully portrayed. This talented young actor was in several excellent films. While very young, he had a minor role in "War at Home" starring Kevin Costner and Elijah Wood. He also performed well in "Crazy in Alabama". Another movie he traveled across a desert with two men--'All The Pretty Horses'. Other films include 'American Gothic, X-Files The Movie', and 'Flash'. His current interest is playing golf! He has a very distinctive southern accent.
Karl killed his parents as a child. As a result, he was encarcerated in a state asylum for 25 years. He has just been released when the film begins. He returns to his boyhood home. He is now a gentle soul and manages to get a job. An inprobable friendship develops with a boy and his widowed mother. The inmate and the boy bond. You feel real sympathy for Billy Bob Thornton's character. Then an abusive boyfriend begins to cause trouble.
Eventually the sling blade of the title comes into play as Karl attempts to protect the boy and his mother. He ultimately kills the boy's step-father.
Frank's costuming is stanfard American contemporary clothing. Here we see the the overalls he wears (figure 1). He also wears shorts pants with t-shirts and striped ankle socks.
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