Sling Blade (1996)

Director: Billy Bob Thornton
Writer: Billy Bob Thornton (Play & Screenplay)
Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam, Lucas Black, Natalie Canerday
Genre: Drama

I can't believe I've never been told about Sling Blade. My best guess is it drowned in the aftermath of Forrest Gump as this was released a couple of years later and have a lot of similarities. Still. Sling Blade is the much more realistic and interesting take on things, no matter how much better Robert Zemeckis' and Tom Hank's picture did in box office and at the Oscar. This movie have a darker angle, but equally filled with heart, charm and great acting.

Billy Bob Thornton wrote the play and the screenplay adaption, he directed it and he plays the lead as 'Karl Childers'. This is Billy Bob's one piece for the archives. The movie he should be remembered for. The movie most people only dreams of being involved in, and Billy Bob was involved on every step. 'Karl Childers' is created with an eye and touch for detail and with a lot of heart. It makes the movie both emotional and enjoyably funny. It's also made with a great deal of understanding of everything from small town gossip to abusive people using fear, and it shows in the way the script is balanced and rounded. The details are again what makes it such a grand insight.

I could have said a lot more about this movie, but I'll rather just say this: Buy it, watch it and enjoy it! This is storytelling the way it was meant to. Great acting, great script, great overall story and a lovely touch for all those smaller details.

Edited August 16th, 2010:
I'm in hindsight not certain it deserves 10/10, and have adjusted it down at 9/10 until I revisit it at least.