DIDN'T LIKE IT! HELP ME OUT FANS!

I agree. Kinda took a turn for the worse with a predictable abusive boyfriend plot

Actually DO teach this in a film class. It tinkers with the notion of what makes someone a 'hero'. Was Carl's decision to kill Doyle heroic, in the strictest sense? Was it a great sacrifice for Frank? I think that it was one of the noblest things I've seen on film.

I loved the interplay between Carl and Frank, their bond, their conversations. You pointed out that the first 20 min were gripping; agree. Unclear why you didn't find the rest of the film, albeit slow at times, to be equally as interesting, since you were reeled in and liked the characters immediately.

The character of Doyle was one of the very few that I found in a film that had no (zero) redeeming values. I couldn't think of anything he did that I liked. Yes, he worked hard. Yes, he hated midgets and antique furniture. Perhaps you didn't understand the humor, not sure.

You were right that the music is brilliant and the acting extraordinary. Perhaps it's not for everyone, but I found the scene where Carl gives Frank the bookmark to be one of the most heartfelt scenes I've ever seen. How it didn't move you is a mystery.

Perhaps watch it again, with a different lens and eyes in a year or so. Good luck.



"Assaiii...assaiii!"
--Sensei Terry Silver Karate Kid III

OP < Killed HiiIIm, btw caps off in afterlife and wish ya all the best

To OP - All these things you mention that seem unrelated or irrelevant arent, they are all a part of the big picture. When Karl gets released life takes over and he walks into these peoples lives. Hes got to deal with this new life and hes had no practice so its all awkward but he perseveres and does the right thing with this random family that enters his life. This is why he gets baptized, goes with Frank to his crush's home, plays football with the boy, visits his father. Hes trying to right the wrong in his life, mainly inspired by the Bibles teachings. All this good makes the ending controversial but if you ask me, Karl did the morally correct thing because Doyle is a monster and that ONE monster is not allowing TWO good people to live in peace. Its unfair and Karl rectifies that. To me he is continuing to do the right thing.

I love the movie, but to each his own. Hmmmm....Hmmmmmmm....Hmmmmmmm

If only IMDB critiques were this thought-out and respectable more often.

I'm not sure what movies I'd put on a general "movies to see before you die" list. But it is one of my favorite films of all time. The overall tone/atmosphere of it set in a small town feels very nostalgic and whimsical to me. But what most likely gives the film its notoriety is just how phenomenal Billy Bob Thornton was in this movie. You absolutely forget it's him. I think for a character that unique with a plot as great as this one, in spite of its faults, makes it an amazing film that you need to see just for the character of Karl alone.

I don't view this so much as 'Oscar material' but more as an surprise 'sleeper' movie, very much like 'Fargo' in dealing with quirky characters and their stories. Carl makes an attempt to be Christian or at least 'religious' through his reading the Bible. Not having been baptized, he feels that's something he missed so he wants to make up for it. This goes with him trying to fit into society and not having any wish or reason to harm anyone.

The tension in the story comes from Karl reconciling this with his wish to protect Frank and his mother and Doyle is the antagonist that is going to keep Karl from accomplishing this. I've been in a similar situation where I KNEW that I was on a collision course with someone much like Doyle and in spite of all efforts to stay away from him, ended up in a nasty confrontation. It's interesting that there is NOTHING likeable about Doyle except that he is somewhat successful.

The presence of Vaughn only serves to make Doyle seem even worse by his abuse of everyone within reach. Of course Vaughn points out that he and Karl have similarities because they are both 'outside' of the small town society.

The overweight girl is obviously somewhat retarded but they feel like she and Karl would make good company and be able to relate to each other. This, getting the job, finding friends is all part of what is going to bring Karl back into society but is going to be ruined by Doyle where Karl ends up back in the hospital.

I guess to put it all in one big lump it shows how somebody who is gentle as a lamb can be forced into violent retaliation under extreme circumstances. American movies are FULL of examples where someone tries to resolve conflict in every peaceful way but in the end is forced into a 'do or die' situation.

There are some movies that are the antithesis of 'great' movies like 'Gone with the Wind' and 'Dr. Zhivago'. Maybe they are 'Neo-modern' with anti-heroes. 'Pulp Fiction' was made to be a trashy movie, but it does such a good job of it it is highly entertaining. Again, not 'Oscar Material' but highly memorable.

If anything is superfluous, I think it's Doyle's relationship with his friends but it goes to show that Doyle can't get along with ANYBODY in a civil way. When he derides and kicks his band members out, though, it pretty much shows that Doyle is actually uncontrollably violent and probably insane. Karl is perceptive in seeing that sooner or later, Doyle is going to go way to far.

You may just not have a frame of reference. I'll assume you're not from the American south, probably a upper middle class background, if you're studying abroad. In your early 20s. For that demographic, if it's not within your experience, I can see where it would be hard to wrap ones head around.
No big deal. As you age, things will change meaning. Have you watched "Winters Bone"? Good luck in film school. Always wanted to go myself.