Bea Swanson This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

Jonah Abbott There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

Freeman This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

Kimball Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

Chenquana Molique Billy Bob Thornton is so amazing in this movie. He looses himself so completely that it is almost impossible to tell it is actually Billy Bob in the movie. One of the best acting jobs I have ever seen because he never seemed to be acting at all. I believe every person who wishes to become an actress or an actor should be required to watch this movie and learn from one of the best in the business. Everyone did a great job in this movie. But, I know from experience when you have an awesome actor in the lead everyone else works to bring themselves up to their level. This movie is a must see.

punishmentpark Billy Bob Thornton plays Karl Childers - one of his best parts ever, which is quite a feat, considering (his parts in) 'A simple plan' and 'The man who wasn't there', for example. But that is surely not all. His part as director deserves a big thumbs up as well. Many beautiful shots, an underhelmingly told (yet at the same time utterly provocative) story, a stunning soundtrack; together they form just three more indispensable elements to the whole.And then, there's J.T. Walsh. And John Ritter. Plus Dwight Yoakam. Let's not forget Robert Duvall. Or Lucas Black ^. Unfortunately, Natalie Canerday's important part as Linda Wheatley was not all that impressive, but alas.Next up: the story. Predictable? Maybe, but Doyle could have (easily) killed Karl, Frank is pretty much a 'young Karl in the making' (with results to spare), and so on. The eventual outcome is also 'one of those options', but the eventual tragedy of 'Sling blade' is a perfect choice, dramatically.'Sling blade' is a very atmospheric, laid-back, yet also utterly dark tale of a 'just' couple of summer days in some (Southern U.S.) small-town with plenty of thunderous clouds in the distance. The ending is a little predictable, "Mmm-hmm", perhaps... but befitting.A big 10 out of 10.^ Jim Jarmusch as Frostee Cream boy, Vic Chesnutt (R.i.p.) and Brent Briscoe (also with Thornton in 'A simple plan').

abhishek-lohit "Ahem Ahem" says it all. The finest ever role ever by an actor. Hats off Billy bob thorntan . Just outstanding piece of acting . One of the best acted role ever I guess. The story of a man who suffers with mental illness is depicted in a way that makes the movie out of the league. Storyline is peaceful and the character played by Billy is just amazing work. Just glue your eyes to the way he enacted the role with utter perfection.Its rare that you see such a perfection in a role which is performed with so much realism . Its a billy thorntan's movie all the way. Just watch it and watch how simplicity defines perfection. Its a excellent movie that's all I can say

gavin6942 Karl Childers (Billy Bob Thornton), a simple man hospitalized since his childhood murder of his mother and her lover, is released to start a new life in a small town.Kevin Thomas wrote that the film is "a mesmerizing parable of good and evil and a splendid example of Southern storytelling at its most poetic and imaginative." Now, exactly what "Southern storytelling" is remains a bit unclear, though this seems to be a common refrain. The good and evil aspects are certainly there.Billy Bob's character is sort of the gruff, pirate version of Forrest Gump. This makes for a strange mix and not everyone is going to find the character convincing. Often he comes across as annoying. But, indeed, perhaps that is exactly how a mentally disabled person would project themselves?