Big Picture Big Sound

The Film

Before Billy Bob Thornton became synonymous with blood vials and Bad Santa, he was a critical darling, thanks to Sling Blade. Thornton wrote, directed and starred in this often creepy, certainly quotable tale about a man trying to rebuild his life after a stint in a mental hospital. That stay, as well as the images of inside the facility, are probably the least bizarre things about Sling Blade. However, the movie really works.

In fact, the mental hospital is just the tip of the iceberg. Karl Childers (Thornton) has lived there since the age of 12, right after he killed his mom and her boyfriend. Now a man, he is sent back into a society, where he works as a mechanic and befriends and young boy (Lucas Black) and his mother (Natalie Canerday). He doesn't make nice as much with the woman's abusive boyfriend (a creepy-crawly Dwight Yoakam).

It's hard for anyone to go home again -- but some more than others. Karl is an interesting character and Thornton plays him well. The rest of the cast is pretty amazing, too, especially Yoakam, Black and John Ritter. The cool thing about Sling Blade is that it doesn't have to get all sappy to tug at your heartstrings. It's a touching, interesting story that's extremely well acted.

The Picture

Sling Blade was made for a mere $1 million, and it shows in some areas of this 1.85:1 transfer. That said, this Blu-ray is the best you'll currently get. There are a few details, mostly in close-ups and outside scenes. Karl's face is bizarre, expressive, and kind of cool looking in high-def. Also, those same outdoor shots get a bit of a boost as well, with bold colors and deep blacks.

The Sound

Like Karl Childers, Sling Blade is kind of quiet. There's plenty of dialogue and "Mmm-hmmm"-ing, which the DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack delivers very well. Other than that, there are a few outside noises to perk up your ears in the surrounds, as well as Daniel Lanois' somber soundtrack.

The Extras

Miramax didn't add any new special features since the last standard-def release, and really, they didn't need to. There's plenty for fans here. If you didn't make the previous purchase on DVD, you can find out what makes Billy Bob tick by listening to some of the audio commentary or watching "Mr. Thornton Goes to Hollywood," a 14-part, hour-long documentary chronicling the man, the myth, and the creation of Karl. There's also a variety of "conversations," which includes a 75-minute chat with Thornton, Yoakam, Mickey Jones, and producer David Bushell.

Final Thoughts

Remember when Billy Bob Thornton was a major Hollywood talent? Neither could we. Thankfully, this release refreshed our memory and faith in the actor. If you've already got the standard-def DVD, it probably isn't worth the upgrade. However, it's certainly worth another look. Mmm-hmmm.

Where to Buy:

• Sling Blade on Blu-ray Disc (Amazon.com)

Product Details

• Actors: Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam, J.T. Walsh, John Ritter, Lucas Black, Natalie Canerday, James Hampton, Robert Duvall
• Director: Billy Bob Thornton
• Audio/Languages: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (English), Dolby Digital 2.0 (Spanish)
• Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Region: A
• Number of Discs: 1
• Rating: R
• Studio: Miramax
• Blu-ray Disc Release Date: August 4, 2009
• Run Time: 135 minutes
• List Price: $34.99
• Extras:
  • Audio Commentary by Writer/Director/Actor Billy Bob Thornton
  • Mr. Thornton Goes to Hollywood
  • Bravo Profiles: Billy Bob Thornton
  • A Roundtable Discussion with Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam, Mickey Jones and Producer David Bushell
  • A Conversation with Billy Bob Thornton and Robert Duvall
  • A Conversation with Robert Duvall
  • A Conversation with Billy Bob Thornton and Composer Daniel Lanois
  • The Return of Karl
  • On the Set
  • "Doyle's Dead" with Introduction by Billy Bob Thornton