"Sling Blade" in relation to the Southern Gothic genre.

08-10-2010, 06:57 PM

I originally posted this in the "What's the last movie you last watched" thread, but I thought (if the mods allow it) I would rehash my post her and elaborate on it for discussion. I advise only reading this if you have seen the film.

Also discussed as comparisons are 1962's "To Kill A Mockingbird" and 1975's "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest."

SPOILERS MAY BE PRESENT!

Description:
Sling Blade is a 1996 American drama film set in rural Arkansas, written and directed by Billy Bob Thornton, who also stars in the lead role. It tells the story of a mentally impaired man named Karl Childers who is released from a psychiatric hospital where he has lived since killing his mother and her lover when he was 12 years old. He befriends a young boy, begins a friendship with the boy's mother and eventually confronts the mother's abusive boyfriend, as well as his own dark past.

Cast of major or influential characters:

Billy Bob Thornton as Karl Childers (the mentally-impaired lead; appears to have autism from what I have read, though this is never addressed in the film).
Dwight Yoakam as Doyle Hargraves (Linda's abusive drunk of a boyfriend and the epitome of true stereotypical Southern white-trash).
J. T. Walsh as Charles Bushman (A patient in the mental hospital whom we meet in the beginning of the film. Held there for sexual-predatory behaviors, most likely involving murder).
John Ritter as Vaughan Cunningham (Linda's manager at the local 5 & 10/dollar-store. A homosexual man who is half-open to the town, though it is unintended by him. Very caring to those around him, especially Linda and Frank, whom he tries to protect from Doyle).
Lucas Black as Frank Wheatley (A young boy Karl meets in the beginning of the film and helps tote bags of laundry to his home).
Natalie Canerday as Linda Wheatley (Frank's mother who tries to give her son a good life. Tied down to Doyle most likely out of emotional need to feel wanted and accepted, while also being an example of a gentle Southern lady).
James Hampton as Jerry Woolridge (The director of the mental institution where Karl has been held for the past thirty years, from 12 to 42. Sees Karl as a good man deep down, and helps him get work upon his release).
Robert Duvall as Karl's father (Living in squalor since his wife's murder. He never wanted Karl it seems, as he denies having a son when Karl goes to see him later in the film).

Personally, I felt strong tones to this film in relation to "To Kill A Mockingbird" as well as "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest," to a lesser extent.

Karl could be seen as a bit of a tragic character, damned by circumstances and his environment, but essentially a good person who ultimately tries to do right by the people he cares about, no matter the consequence.

This reflects the tragedy of Tom Robinson in "Mockingbird," as well as the strength of McMurphy (Even Chief to an extent) in "Cuckoo's Nest."

08-10-2010, 06:57 PM	#1
kzm007 Guest Posts: n/a	"Sling Blade" in relation to the Southern Gothic genre. I originally posted this in the "What's the last movie you last watched" thread, but I thought (if the mods allow it) I would rehash my post her and elaborate on it for discussion. I advise only reading this if you have seen the film. Also discussed as comparisons are 1962's "To Kill A Mockingbird" and 1975's "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest." SPOILERS MAY BE PRESENT! Description: Sling Blade is a 1996 American drama film set in rural Arkansas, written and directed by Billy Bob Thornton, who also stars in the lead role. It tells the story of a mentally impaired man named Karl Childers who is released from a psychiatric hospital where he has lived since killing his mother and her lover when he was 12 years old. He befriends a young boy, begins a friendship with the boy's mother and eventually confronts the mother's abusive boyfriend, as well as his own dark past. Cast of major or influential characters: Billy Bob Thornton as Karl Childers (the mentally-impaired lead; appears to have autism from what I have read, though this is never addressed in the film). Dwight Yoakam as Doyle Hargraves (Linda's abusive drunk of a boyfriend and the epitome of true stereotypical Southern white-trash). J. T. Walsh as Charles Bushman (A patient in the mental hospital whom we meet in the beginning of the film. Held there for sexual-predatory behaviors, most likely involving murder). John Ritter as Vaughan Cunningham (Linda's manager at the local 5 & 10/dollar-store. A homosexual man who is half-open to the town, though it is unintended by him. Very caring to those around him, especially Linda and Frank, whom he tries to protect from Doyle). Lucas Black as Frank Wheatley (A young boy Karl meets in the beginning of the film and helps tote bags of laundry to his home). Natalie Canerday as Linda Wheatley (Frank's mother who tries to give her son a good life. Tied down to Doyle most likely out of emotional need to feel wanted and accepted, while also being an example of a gentle Southern lady). James Hampton as Jerry Woolridge (The director of the mental institution where Karl has been held for the past thirty years, from 12 to 42. Sees Karl as a good man deep down, and helps him get work upon his release). Robert Duvall as Karl's father (Living in squalor since his wife's murder. He never wanted Karl it seems, as he denies having a son when Karl goes to see him later in the film). Personally, I felt strong tones to this film in relation to "To Kill A Mockingbird" as well as "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest," to a lesser extent. Karl could be seen as a bit of a tragic character, damned by circumstances and his environment, but essentially a good person who ultimately tries to do right by the people he cares about, no matter the consequence. This reflects the tragedy of Tom Robinson in "Mockingbird," as well as the strength of McMurphy (Even Chief to an extent) in "Cuckoo's Nest."