Slingblade

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Has anyone here ever seen this movie? I rented it awhile back and thought it was really good. And, I could relate. My sister was in a really abusive marriage too. Her husband was a complete psycho! She got out on her own though. Without any help from a mentally disabled ex-con . She is my HERO!!!

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I love that this movie has so much heart. When I heard that it dealt with physical and mental abuse and focused on a mentally challenged man who murdered his mother, I just didn't want to see it because I thought it was going to be completely depressing. Instead, it has some truly light and sweet moments, awesome performances from all involved and a strong emotional center. I am sort of sad that it seems to have fallen off the cultural radar. I never hear about it anymore even though it put Billy Bob Thornton on the map and established him as a true force to be reckoned with. It is such a great film.

[bossyboots]

I loved this too though I am pretty sure I haven't seen it since it first came out. I think it might have been one of Dwight Yoakum's first film roles and man, was he scary. The kid was quite good in it too as I recall -- too bad his career now involves The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.

[kanding]

I love this movie! Everyone, I mean everyone gave a great performance. One of the subtler surprises was how sympathetically the small town was portrayed. I'd expected a story showing small-minded, vindictive people tormenting Billy Bob Thornton's character, but people were accepting and gentle even when faced with his past.

I do remember being embarassed as all hell watching this. It was the first movie I went to with the man who's now my husband and I cried. Not discreet, eye-dabbing tears, oh no. This was a head-between-the-knees, tears and snot free-flowing, gut-wrenching sobbing (I did manage to muffle most of the snorting with handfuls of napkins though.)

[fantagrape]

One of my all-time favortie movies. Billy Bob did an amazing job creating the atmosphere of a small southern town with the camera work and the slow, deliberate pacing. As others have said, great great performances all-around, especially Billy Bob, Dwight Yoakum and John Ritter. Love it.

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One of the subtler surprises was how sympathetically the small town was portrayed. I'd expected a story showing small-minded, vindictive people tormenting Billy Bob Thornton's character, but people were accepting and gentle even when faced with his past.

I love this about the film. I, too, was very surprised at how accepting and nice most of the people in the town were. I love how so many of them were so willing to give Carl a second chance. One of the film's strongest point (aside from the performances) was the way it portrayed small town life as being both positive and negative. Usually, it is one or the other.

[bossyboots]

I forgot about John Ritter! Oh, man, I need to rent this and watch it again. kanding, while I wasn't on a date when I saw it, I had the same kind of reaction as you did. Not unlike my sobbing at the end scenes of Billy Elliot when at the theatre on my own. I had to wait a while before I could drive myself home. I actually love crying at movies -- it's so cathartic!

[Deleted]

Yes!
John Ritter. I didn't even know it was him until the movie was almost over. God! Who knew he was such a good actor? I loved the scene where Billy Bob talks to him about gay people going to Hades. (spelling?). And the scene in the diner? And when John and his friend have them over for dinner?

I think I might have to rent this one again ...

[hamhock]

A couple of my coworkers are always doing the Carl voice. It's awesome.
I do love this movie.

[girlnamedcarl]

Whenever I want to gross my best friend out (which is surprisingly often), I'll talk about a weird guy she knows in my Carl voice. "She gave him special feelin's in his bathin'-suit area, mmmmmmm." Good times.

Although it's a great movie, I could only watch it purely once. After that, I started focusing on The Voice. I can't get right.