Sling Blade Movie Information

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Movie Information

Overall Rank: 366

Average Rating: 3.1/4

# of Ratings: 259

Theatrical Release Date: 11/20/1996

Language: English

Genre: Drama

MPAA Rating: R

Director: Billy Bob Thornton

Actors: Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam, John Ritter, J.T. Walsh, Robert Duvall, Lucas Black

Plot: An institutionalized man is released to live in a small community and start a new life, even though he killed his parents when he was very young.

Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 06/19/2019

Excellent portrayals of extensive characters make for a great study.

mitchellyoung - wrote on 02/06/2012

Sling Blade is a poignant, haunting,and emotionally effecting portrait of a mentally-challenged man growing up in tragic circumstances. Billy Bob Thornton gives the best performance he has ever given, a fully-embodied character that is captivating, every moment he is on screen. The film ends inevitably, with an action that will provoke much discussion afterward.

Alaine - wrote on 12/12/2011

Original character by Billy Bob. Well-made story and film. Love and killing in a Southern town.

Daniel Corleone
Movie God

Sling Blade review

Daniel Corleone - wrote on 03/21/2013

"We don't need to think bad thoughts." Karl (Billy Bob Thornton) meets a little boy named Frank after his release. Francis's mother, Linda, has a crude racist boyfriend named Doyle (Dwight Yoakam). Doyle swears and becomes violent when drinking to the extent of hurting even a cripple and hitting a female. One of the most realistic drama's coupled with an astoundingly impressive portrayal from the writer/director/actor. The screenplay was very provocative with quotable lines form: "Everybody has something in their past." - Vaughan. "You'll have to learn. It's going to take some time." - Jerry and "Your still a young boy. You have to think about good thoughts." Performances were all sincere and the only slight knack would be a few fillers and pace of the film. Sling Blade is a …

mdtinney
Movie God

Biscuits and mustard @ #57.

mdtinney - wrote on 06/10/2009

This movie is superb! Billy Bob Thornton gives what surely will be recognized as the best performance of his career. Some will argue that it is less challenging for an actor to play the role of a character that he created and directed himself. Perhaps, as with Robert Duvall in "The Apostle," this is the Academy's justification for not awarding Thornton the Oscar he deserved. (He did win the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, however.) Be that as it may, Thornton's performance is outstanding. Some may liken Karl Childers to Forrest Gump, another simpleton with deeper-than-appears perception. But Thornton's Childers is deeper, more believable, more endearing, and far more interesting than Gump. He is a person you won't easily forget. A strong supporting performance by the late John Ritter …