Rating: 
Summary: "I Reckon It's Pretty Good"
Review: Sling Blade is an excellent, thought-provoking story about one man's return to society after being released from a mental instituation. One of the great aspects of the film is simply Billy Bob Thornton's portrayel of Karl. Returning to the town he called home after 25 years in an institution, Karl must start life anew. Karl's simple nature is quite deceptive; althougth he has a calm and monotone manner about him, he is truly a complex individual who contemplates each person and situation from both sides before morally judging it. He is one of the more memorable characters because of his unique mannerisms (trust me, you may find yourself grunting the words "french fried potaters") and his plain honesty (he openly tells the boy he befriends exactly why he was locked up). Thornton, who also directed the film, does a masterful job at "becoming" the character of Karl. The film delves into a vas range of issues that pervade our world: physical and psychological abuse, abandonment, acceptability of individualism. What makes the film unique is that these subjects are analyzed both internally (Karl calmly interalizing an argument between Linda, Frank and Doyle; Karl listening to another mental patient describe his crimes) and externally (Vaughan confronting Karl about his sexual orientation and love for Frank's family; Karl telling Vaughan that, despite what the Bible says, he is a good man). We feel the turmoil of vastly different individuals and personalities all trying to live under one roof. One underlying question that pervades from the film is "what truly is a good human being?" That is, what qualities certify a benevolent individual versus, say, a reckless person. While the story has mostly inheritantly good charcters, Karl possesses characteristics that make him both good and bad (he has obviously murdered before, yet he seems to know the difference between good and bad). While Doyle (Linda's boyfriend) is depicted as a relatively abusive and flat character (one stereotype cannot hurt a film that much), Karl becomes a somewhat transformed individual who is symbolically altered due to his new relationship with Frank and his mother. Overall, this was a quite touching, emotional story from Thornton. Although over 2 hours in length, the story progresses rather rapidly. It is told with a simple intention and premise, yet it is a film that is deeply complex.
Rating: 
Summary: This film grabs you and leaves you with a heartache
Review: This is a superbly-directed, well-acted film. The plot centers upon the relationship that develops between the mildly-retarded protagonist (masterfully portrayed by Billy Bob Thornton) and a young fatherless boy. Thornton's character is released from a mental institution for the criminally insane nearly thirty years after committing an unspeakable crime. The boy befriends Thornton and introduces him to his mother who, in turn, invites him to live in their garage. The film explores the many reasons why this special relationship between Thornton and the boy develops as it does. Because so much of the protagonist's emotional life, both past and present, is revealed to the viewer, the ending makes sense. Dwight Yoakum turns in a decent, believable performance as the abusive boyfriend of the boy's mother. John Ritter does a memorable job as the mother's platonic friend who attempts doggedly but ineffectually to protect the mother and son. As stated above, the ending to this well-done film does make sense, however the ending is ineffably sad.
Rating:
Summary: a charming film
Review: I laugh at this film every time! I love when Karl goes in doyle and linda`s bedroom in the middle of the night with a hammer and asks to be baptised!lol. Some great acting in this film by thornton and dwight yoakam as doyle hargraves.John Ritter is great as Vaughn,the gay shopkeeper.Also,a great and innovative music score performed on a gibson les paul by Daniel Lanois.
Rating:
Summary: I can't describe this in one line
Review: Why do I like this movie? It had powerful, gutwrenching, disturbing conflict. Conflict that is created by the development of the main characters. John Ritter suprised the living daylights out of me with his character portrayal. Remember Three's Company? Remember those movies he made about that rotten kid that needed a good slap? I can't even remember the name of that movie...oh well. Anyway, John Ritter deserves some kind of award for making me forget about Jack Tripper. And Dwight Yokam is pretty terrifying as an abusive boyfriend... actually, I think he should quit his day job and become like a freaky Leonardo Dicaprio. Billy Bob Thornton=my hero...you deserve an oscar...I don't know who won it, Forrest Gump or English patie...z-z-z-z-z ...whoever, you deserve some kind of prize for your acting, directing, writing, whatever...anyway, this is not some kinda bang bang, shootem up, exploding gunfight, with people getting whacked left and right kinda movie. Instead, this is a chop chop, cutem up, chair dragging, window staring, abusive, high pants wearing drama. I like it a lot.
Rating:
Summary: Some Folks Call it a Great Movie
Review: The best part of "Sling Blade" is in the first fifteen minutes, which introduce us to Billy Bob Thorton's memorable lead character. Carl is a mentally retarded inmate living in a home for the criminally insane because he killed his mother with...you guessed it...a sling blade. He is interviewed by a student reporter from a college newspaper in a room dark except for one lamp shining beside him. He starts to speak and...that voice! The rest of the movie is more conventional, but still quite good as it follows Carl upon his release from the asylum. The movie features uniformly excellent performances, including a tour de force from Dwight Yoakum playing an abusive good ol' boy. Overall, this is a memorable film that will stay with you long after the closing credits roll.
Rating:
Summary: Parting the waters of the medulla oblongata of mankind
Review: Normally, movies that are written, directed and star the same person have some fatal flaw due to over-control and a lack of another voice of reason. However, in this case, Billy Bob Thorton put together a great movie. Billy Bob's portrayal of "Karl", a retarded man who killed his mother and lover as a child, is one of the best characters ever on screen. With his high-water pants, bad haircut, underslung grin and gravelly voice, he's not someone you'll soon forget. A finely acted film, even the smallest parts were well-done. Suprisingly, John Ritter (an actor who I can not normally watch), gave the finest performance of his career as a gay store manager. Dwight Yoakum was great as the abusive boyfriend, and Lucas Black was good as the kid. J.T Walsh, Robert Duvall, and James Hampton are also in it. This is not a Disney type plot, and there is a fair amount of swearing and yelling, and some violence. It all is natural to the story however, and the dialogue is some of the best you'll hear anywhere. I don't give out 5 stars to movies very often. Mmm-hmmm.
Rating:
Summary: Billy Bob's Shinning Moment!!
Review: His screenplay was given a well deserved Oscar. But this movie was really an outstanding achievement in acting portrayal. You never would have know that the lead character was Thornton. He shines as the mentally retarded man who befriends a boy he shares a house with. Country Singer Dwight Yoakam is incredibly good as the boy's abusive step father. And John Ritter is great in a non-comical role. It's a moving drama that I thought was one of the best films of 1998. Outstanding!!
Rating:
Summary: A glamorous debut for Thorrnton as screenplayer
Review: Billy BobThornton and James Woods are one the most original and challenging actors in the american cinema.
Thornton won a deserved award as best screenplayer in 1996. The script turns around ritarded man who paid a sentence by a murder.
Since this point of view; our character is a veryu isolated man who suddenly befriends with a child emotionally hurted. The links between them will grow, till the time will come for him to make another justice act.
In this state of things , at the end of the movie you'll still be thinking if the justice could have been better done in a rational world. There are many important issues in that film; specially the depict of characters.
Thornton is so well screnplayer as an actor. We really expect much more about his future works. He keeps to date as true promising hope.
Watch this one. It's a little gem.
Rating:
Summary: Disturbing, Funny, Poignant - A Brilliant Film
Review: Billy Bob Thornton executes his role brilliantly and portrays a character with such understated brilliance that it ranks with the finest character roles ever performed. Everything about this movie is understated and deep, like a slow moving river that cannot be diverted from its eventual destination. Each character fulfills his or her part in destiny. The story unfolds with tender care, sensitivity and rythmn. It has a purposeful plodding just like the lead character, Karl. I wish I could find the words to fully describe the richness, tenderness, and fullness of this faultlessly executed story. In the end, it is a love story between an institutionalized man and a young boy - neither of whom fit properly in their own families. The ending is satisfying and right. A wonderful film - fully deserving its awards and recognition.
Rating:
Summary: Great, timeless flick
Review: Extremely well-done in all aspects. Writing, directing and acting. Showcases John Ritter's talent.
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