Sling Blade (Exclusive Series) (HBO Max)

Initial release date: November 27, 1996

Studios: Miramax Films/TSG Pictures

Tagline: A simple plan. A difficult choice.

Sometimes a hero comes from the most unlikely place.

Plot: Mentally disabled Karl Childers is released from the mental hospital where he has spent most of his life after murdering his mother and her lover. He soon forms a bond with Frank, a boy whose father committed suicide. When Frank’s mother, Linda, lets Karl stay at their house, her cruel boyfriend, Doyle, tries to get Karl removed. Determined to protect his friend, Karl devises a way to save Frank from years of Doyle’s abuse.

Cast

Billy Bob Thornton (Amazon’s Goliath) - Karl Childers

Dwight Yoakum - Doyle Hargraves

J.T. Walsh (Pleasantville; The Negotiator) - Charles Bushman

John Ritter (Bad Santa) - Vaughan Cunningham

Lucas Black (F9: The Fast Saga) - Frank Wheatley

Natalie Canderby (God’s Not Dead 2) - Linda Wheatley

Robert Duvall (12 Mighty Orphans) - Karl’s Father

James Hampton - Jerry Woolridge

Brent Briscoe - Scooter Hodges

Christine Renee Ward - Melinda

Mickey Johns (TV’s Justified) - Monty Johnson

Writer/director: Billy Bob Thornton

Rated R for strong language, including descriptions of violent and sexual behavior (135 minutes)

*** FYI - ‘Sling Blade’ is already 25 years old -- doesn’t seem like it’s been that long!

Before 1996, actor Billy Bob Thornton only did minor roles in movies. After 1996, he became extremely well-known for his highly acclaimed feature ‘Sling Blade.’ And, ‘Sling Blade’ is definitely one of the best movies that the actor has ever done!

‘Sling Blade’ delivers a lot of emotional and thought-provoking moments. Billy Bob Thornton gives probably the best performance of his entire career as Karl Childers. The performance is so incredible that you sometimes forget that it’s him.

The drama is very character-driven and you feel for all of the characters. Well, maybe not for Dwight Yoakum’s role of the abusive boyfriend. And, not to spoil too much if you haven’t seen the film yet, Yoakum’s character got what was coming to him.

Seeing the Childers character walking around town, getting a small job and interacting with people was nice to see as well. It also shows that his character was getting well at that point and even cared for a few people.

So, if you haven’t seen ‘Sling Blade’ yet or want to give it another watch, the Billy Bob Thornton film can be found on HBO Max for a few more days until August 31!

Here are some interesting tidbits about ‘Sling Blade’:

• Billy Wilder once told Billy Bob Thornton that he was “too ugly” to be an actor, and that he should write a screenplay for himself, where he could exploit his “less than perfect” features. After this movie launched Thornton's career, Thornton publicly discussed his discussion with Wilder, which was at a cocktail party where Thornton was working as a waiter. Thornton got a call from Wilder, who invited him over to his house. Wilder said he didn’t recall the conversation with Thornton, but was glad that he heeded his advice. As a gift, Wilder gave Thornton a paperback copy of the movie’s script with his autograph, and a personal message inscribed on it.

• In order to make his walk more awkward and consistent, Billy Bob Thornton placed crushed glass in his shoes.

• According to the DVD commentary, Thornton considers this film to be the greatest movie he has ever made.

• Thornton said he wrote the role of Vaughan Cunningham specifically for his good friend John Ritter.

• A remake of the 1994 short film ‘Some Folks Call It a Sling Blade’ and both were written by and starring Thornton.

• Linda, Frank’s mother, never has a close up; she’s almost always sharing the screen with someone else in either a long or medium shot. This illustrates how ignored and passed over she feels. Everyone knows she’s trapped in an abusive relationship but no one is helping her.

• Vaughan (Ritter) holding a copy of the book ‘A Confederacy of Dunces’ in his final scene. The book revolves around a Southern character that’s unable to fit into society.

• Thornton first came up with the character of Karl while working on the film “The Man Who Broke 1,000 Chains.’ He developed the idea into a monologue which became a one man show, which he used to raise funds to make the film.

• The film was made with a production budget of only $1 million, and was sold to Miramax for $10 million, which at the time was a record price for an indie film.

https://youtu.be/-RLVfo4SZfg