Some Folks Call It a Sling Blade (1994)

Written by Billy Bob Thorton
Directed by George Hickenlooper

This film is the precursor to the feature film "Sling Blade", which of course is the film that put Billy Bob Thornton on the map as a major Hollywood actor, and won him the Academy Award for Best Screenplay, along with winning him a nomination as Best Actor. Thornton also wrote this short film, which is basically just what would become the beginning of "Sling Blade". It's not often that a short film leaves the viewer with any emotional impact, or leaves them thinking and wanting more. This is because many short films are merely small practice films for the creators, cheaper versions of bigger ideas that they want to do in feature form, or short ideas with little substance that are basically show pieces for the actors, directors, cinematographers, etc, leaving many short films with little depth.

This is not the case with "Some Folks Call It A Sling Blade", also written by Billy Bob Thornton. It is a film with depth and meaning, while also existing as a showcase for Thornton's acting ability, the viewer can tell it exists because Thornton had a personal attachment to this character he created, he felt the need to tell the story of this character, even if it is one of his own creation. If you're not familiar with the story, Thornton plays Karl Childers, who has spent the last 25 years in a mental hospital for the criminally insane. On the day of his release, Childers is interviewed by a reporter for a newspaper (Molly Ringwald) who is concerned that Childers will murder again once he is released.

So he sits to tell her the story of why he is incarcerated, which is because he committed a double murder. The investigative reporter's fears are changed to sympathy for Karl once she hears the full story of Karl's upbringing, and begins to understand his true nature. He is not a cold-blooded murderer, merely a confused, mentally handicapped human being. By the end of the interview, the reporter begins to worry what will happen to Karl upon his release, when before she was worried about what would happen to others.

This is an interesting story about the perceptions that people hold, how they can easily be changed, and how not every person encountered is exactly what their reputation makes them out to be. The lighting and direction is fantastic, for a short film the audience can tell it has at least a modest budget, but the main showcase of the film is the script and the character that Thornton has created, both of which are unique and interesting approaches to character and the cliches of criminal mental illness. Definitely recommended for those looking to make a short film, it can teach you a thing or two about substance over style in short subjects, as well as entertain you.

9.7/10