Sling Blade

First of all, Billy Bob Thornton is phenomenal, and his incredibly focused performance awakens in me an angry astonishment that an actor of his calibre can be so ignored by critics and fans alike. He’s one of the few actors who can get as close to the audience as possible with his performance and erase any optical difference between reality and film, which he demonstrates here in the role of the retarded Karl (I would easily compare his creation to such icons as Jack Nicholson in The Shining or Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump – with reservations, of course). The film itself is not groundbreaking, it’s clear from the beginning how it will end, and it’s somewhat marred by some slightly extortionate screenwriting clichés (the little brother in the garbage can?), but it still impresses with its very personal, human and accessible form, which makes everyone forget for at least a moment how authentic and believable Billy is. This is much more than a fairy tale with a clear course, let the Oscar nominations speak for themselves. 85% (13/02/2014)

Uma obra tão essencial como Cães Danados de Tarantino ou o melhor de Jim Jarmusch. O tipo de filme que aprecio acima de tudo - pessoal e humano, escrito, dirigido e interpretado brilhantemente por um homem, e sem qualquer visão de sucesso comercial. Quinta estrela para o cameo bonito de Jarmusch e único de Duvall. (15/01/2008)

A peculiar indie effort with no chance of commercial success, for which it is too slow, intimate and intellectual. And practically the same could be said of its artistic values, for which it’s too sedentary and sentimental. However, it plays the emotional strings more than well. A unique one man show from Billy Bob Thornton, who is completely distinctive both behind and in front of the camera. (10/10/2021)

Now this is something I can get behind. If only every film were like this. A few months ago, I didn’t even know something like Sling Blade existed, and now I can say it’s truly a breathtaking experience. Just like in Of Mice and Men, the main character carried the film almost entirely on his own. From the very first shot, I knew Billy Bob Thornton would deliver a phenomenal performance that would leave my jaw dropped long after the credits rolled. I’m surprised he didn’t win an Oscar because he undoubtedly deserved it. It took a little while for the film to get going, but I didn’t mind at all. The atmosphere was top-notch, building higher and higher with every moment, and as a viewer, I knew it could only end one way—catastrophically. To avoid praising just Thornton, Dwight Yoakam also played the slimy aggressor brilliantly. Even Robert Duvall's minor role had something special to it. The ending was fantastic. I don’t even know what else to write. I’ll sum it up like this: if you haven’t seen the film yet, fix that immediately. You won’t regret the time you spend on it. I give it 91%. (17/03/2017)