SLING BLADE

Sling Blade

Sling Blade

Movie Overview

Sling Blade has its origins in Thornton's little-seen (and kind of dull) short film, Some Folks Call It a Sling Blade. The short, a 10-minute black and white affair, is actually incorporated -- nearly verbatim -- into the feature. It presents to us the character of Karl, a mentally deliberate man who, as a boy, killed his mother and her lover some 25 years ago. After a long spell in the mental hospital, Karl is 'well' and is being released into the world.

That's where the short film ends, and that's where my plot description ends as well, because from there on out, Sling Blade is a true original. The film is an American Gothic tale, following Karl's reluctant return to modern rural Bible Belt society, complete with small-town closet homosexuals (John Ritter, surprisingly good here), bigoted rednecks (Dwight Yoakam), and the Frostee Cream. Unable to deal with the cacophony of new things, Karl just tunes them out, living in the garage of his new little friend (Lucas Black) and subsisting on french fries and mustard, working as a small engine repairman.

But while Karl is simple, he shows us the complexities of life through less experienced eyes, and yet the film never wanders into the campiness of Forrest Gump. Inside is to be found a tale of true friendship, the meaning of love, an amazing morality fable, and some beautiful imagery. All of it to be found in the simplest of places. It feels slow at times, but the pacing actually enhances the experience of being pulled in to the Deep South.

Analyze and Critique

Karl is a good, kind man who tries to stand up for Sacrifice is an important theme in the film and in life. Sacrifices are made for many reasons, but the strongest is for love or the pursuit of love. Many sacrifices are made during the course of Sling Blade. Linda sacrifices herself to Doyle for the sake of having a relationship. Karl sacrifices himself for Frank and Linda to free them from the hateful Doyle.

Linda believes that her relationship with Doyle will eventually bring her love. However, Doyle's hateful attitude and mistreatment of Linda and Frank lets the viewer know that her hopes of love will never be met with Doyle. If anything, her life will turn out in a way she will despise. Doyle is a mean, abusive man and everyone, but Linda, seems to realize this. She continues to sacrifice

Sling Blade strikes the emotional chords of the soul. Although the title makes it almost sound like an action movie, Sling Blade is actually a powerfully-kind, compassionate film. We see Karl as a kindhearted, mentally handicapped man, who has killed and kills again, but only at times when the individuals could be said to deserve death.

Billy Bob Thornton's depiction of Karl is impressive, as is Dwight Yokam's role as Doyle. Rather than presenting Karl as stupid or mean, Thornton brings real humanity to the ...