A 1996 American drama film, Sling Blade, is directed and acted by Billy Bob Thornton. It tells the story of an intellectually disabled boy and his mother as he develops a friendship with a boy. Karl had grown up in the psychiatric hospital where he spent most of his life after killing his mother and her lover at the age of 12. Robert Duvall, Natalie Canerday, James Hampton, and J. T. Walsh are also featured.
A screenplay for the 1994 short film Some Folks Calls It a Sling Blade, directed by George Hickenlooper, was also developed by Thornton from his previous one-person show Swine Before Pearls.
In 1994, Thornton became a star after Sling Blade became a sleeper hit. Aside from winning Best Writing and Best Adapted Screenplay at the Academy, Thornton was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
Daniel Lanois composed the soundtrack. Produced by David L. Bushell and Brandon Rosser, Sling Blade was filmed in Benton, Arkansas, over 24 days.
Cast members of Sling Blade
Ratings for the movie Sling Blade
Contactmusic.com: 4.5 / 5Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
Fresh: 49 Rotten: 2
IMDB: 8.1 / 10
Awards and nominations for the movie Sling Blade
Awards:
1. Academy Awards, USA (1997)
Billy Bob Thornton - Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published2. Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA (1997)
Lucas Black - Best Performance by a Younger Actor3. Chicago Film Critics Association Awards (1997)
Billy Bob Thornton - Best Actor4. Chicago International Film Festival 1996
Billy Bob Thornton (director) - Special Jury Award5. Chlotrudis Awards (1997)
Billy Bob Thornton - Best Actor Best Movie6. Edgar Allan Poe Awards (1997)
Billy Bob Thornton - Best Motion Picture7. Film Independent Spirit Awards (1997) - Best First Feature
Billy Bob Thornton (director) David L. Bushell (producer) Brandon Rosser (producer)8. Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards 1996
Billy Bob Thornton - Best Actor9. National Board of Review, USA 1996
Top Ten Films Billy Bob Thornton - For special achievement in filmmaking10. Writers Guild of America, USA 1997
Billy Bob Thornton - Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published11. Young Artist Awards 1997
Lucas Black - Best Performance in a Feature Film - Leading Young Actor12. Young Star Awards 1997
Lucas Black - Best Performance by a Young Actor in a Drama FilmSling Blade movie nominations
1. Satellite Awards 1997
Billy Bob Thornton - Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama Billy Bob Thornton - Best Screenplay, Original Daniel Lanois - Best Original Score2. Chlotrudis Awards 1997
Lucas Black - Best Supporting Actor John Ritter - Best Supporting Actor Billy Bob Thornton - Best Director3. Boston Society of Film Critics Awards 1996
Billy Bob Thornton - Best New Filmmaker Boston Society of Film Critics Awards 1996 Billy Bob Thornton - Best New Filmmaker4. Awards Circuit Community Awards 1996
Billy Bob Thornton - Honorable Mentions5. 20/20 Awards 2017
Billy Bob Thornton - Best Actor John Ritter - Best Supporting Actor Billy Bob Thornton - Best Adapted Screenplay Best Picture6. Screen Actors Guild Awards 1997
Outstanding Performance by a Cast
Billy Bob Thornton Dwight Yoakam J.T. Walsh John Ritter Lucas Black Natalie Canerday Robert Duvall Billy Bob Thornton - Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role7. Academy Awards, USA 1997
Billy Bob Thornton - Best Actor in a Leading RoleIs Sling Blade available on Netflix?
Yes, sling blade is available on Netflix in many regions but not in the USA. For US citizens, you can stream Sling Blade on Netflix through VPN. Choose the best VPN in your region and enjoy watching the Sling Blade.