There's a list of movies in my subconscious that I KNOW I NEED TO SEE but haven't. My excuse is timing or lack there of, or it may not be that good, or that actors really not my favorite. Then there's also my excuse for greatness. When I know a film might be good and that could instill GREATNESS, a small part of me doesn't want to see it. Watching that movie that rocks your world, makes you cry, laugh, and instills a change in you is precious. There's nothing like watching a movie and absolutely falling in love with it in that short period of time. Its like having sex for the first time. It happens once. 1 time. You can watch it again and again but its never the same as the first time.
Sling Blade was my first time. It was precious. I didn't expect it. I didn't want to watch it because I knew I would love it. My dad quoted it for years so I knew it was good. But dang it was beyond good. I'm not gonna even try to think of a word to describe it. I'm just gonna tell you some good stuff from it. Then I hope if you haven't seen it you will. (for netflix users its on instant Que for free).
To let you know how much it affected me hours after watching the film (I watched it alone during a Tuesday afternoon while my husband was working) I was sitting on the couch after dinner with Kyle and I just started bawling out of know where. I confused my husband and after I caught my breathe I just kept saying "its not fair, Karl and Frank it was just perfect, its not fair!"
Billy Bob Thornton is the writer, director, and lead character in the film. Hes won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. He was nominated for Best actor for Sling Blade which he lost.
I've never had an opinion on Billy. I know hes quite unique. Maybe even a drunk but regardless he made this movie and I love him for that.
There are three elements to the film that make it.
1) Frank the little boy that befriends Karl.
If this little baby inside me is a boy I want him to have the heart of this little boy. Frank lives in a little old town with his mama. Frank hasnt been given a good childhood. His daddy is dead and his mama is dating a mean, nasty drunk. He needs someone who will watch over him, to love him, and to protect him. He is a lovely child who thinks deep and loves hard. He needs a friend and Karl comes into play.
2) Karl the mentally challenged convict.
Karl had a horrible childhood. The first scene when hes describing his childhood brings me to tears. He was slow and his parents were poor and ignorant. He describes his childhood in a shack in the back yard with a hole for a bed. He has to do some horrible things to get by. One occasion is the murder of his mother and her lover. Hes the last person you would think to kill anybody but that's the hand hes been dealt.
Karl's never had a friend or any love in his life. When he meets Frank on the day of his release from the mental ward something sparks in him. (its love but he doesn't know that).
3) The timing is perfect.
I don't know if Billy Bob believes in God but I like to think if this was based on a true story that Gods timing was included in this story. The timing is perfect. From When Karl was released from the mental ward. To Where Karl was sitting eating his fried mashed taters. And Why Frank was cleaning his families cloths at the wash and dry. In my head its all Gods perfect timing.
There's several scenes that bring you right to tears. I promise you will fall in love with Frank the sweet little kid. As for Karl well I'm sure you will like him just fine. I sure did.
My favorite scene not to give too much away is a scene with Karl and Frank. Karl finally knows what he has to do for this little kid and he just loves him and Frank just loves Karl. Its heart-wrenching.
