Levity
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Movie Reviews of Levity
Movie Review: Billy Bob Thornton In Excellent Redemption Drama...
Summary: 5 Stars
If there is a common theme running through Billy Bob Thornton's dramatic roles, it would have to be a man's search for redemption. It can be found in SLING BLADE, A SIMPLE PLAN, THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE, MONSTER'S BALL, THE BADGE, and again in LEVITY, the film directorial debut of screenwriter Ed Solomon. Unlike more 'commercial' actors, who would prefer playing innocent victims framed for crimes (or would be 'heroic' in committing 'justifiable' deeds), Thornton's characters are guilty of their trespasses, and accept their punishment as deserved. This gives his performances a sense of reality that is always interesting to watch.In LEVITY, Thornton is Manual Jordan, a 'lifer' who has spent over twenty years in prison for shooting and killing a kid during a convenience store robbery, as a youth. The act was not a crime of passion, it was simply an involuntary reaction to a quizzical 'look' the kid gave him, an expression that would bond the two of them for years to come.
When a parole board decides to commute Jordan's sentence ("Why?" he asks, stunned by the decision after saying he was content to remain in prison), the middle-aged man finds himself alone in an alien, indifferent world, with only the kid's 'ghost' as company.
Jordan decides to try and help the victim's sister, Adele (the ageless Holly Hunter), without revealing his identity ("If you're trying to 'hit' on me," she quips, "I have to warn you, over the years, my standards have lowered..."). She has her hands full with a wild teenaged son, and can't quite figure out this taciturn, long-haired vagrant!
Answering a ringing pay phone, Jordan finds his way to a jaded lay minister (Morgan Freeman, excellent, as always), who, recognizing him as an ex-con, provides him with a place to stay, and a job, cleaning and directing teens from a dance club into the broken-down mission he runs, next door. When Jordan tells the old preacher that he doesn't believe in God, the old man snaps, "I'm not asking you to! I'm asking you to work!" One of the rowdy 'club' teens (Kirsten Dunst), the daughter of a 'one-hit wonder' singer on the skids, finds herself drawn to Jordan, despite his obvious disapproval of her lifestyle.
As with all the best 'indies', there is a richness of character in LEVITY, with each actor in top form. Subtly building to a surprising revelation and an emotional climax, the film may not appeal to audiences who prefer pyrotechnics to plot, but if you like movies with believable characters, and an involving story that unfolds at it's own pace, you'll find it to be a very rewarding experience!
Movie Review: Chamber Music
Summary: 5 Stars
LEVITY is a very quiet little sleeper of a movie. Written and directed by Ed Solomon it is a theme and variations on seeking redemption. A convict who accepts the punishment of life imprisonment for his murder of a young man in a fast food store 22 years prior is abruptly released by a prison board who decide that his exceptional prison behaviour merits his sentence being commuted. Suddenly thrust from his cell and accepted destiny back into the world where his crime occurred, the man's only drive is to find the sister of his vistim and make amends for his crime. He walks (somnolently, accompanied by the recurring ghost vision of his victim) thru the dark alleys of some unidentified wintry city, encounters a black 'minister/soup kitchen man', accepts employment as a custodian, and becomes involved with the minister's attempt to salvage the night clubbers who do drugs etc, falling into the chasm of despair from where the convict has history. His presence in this setting has some positive effects on the lost ones' lives. He finds the sister of the man he murdered and in attempting to make things right, saves her teenage son from his vendetta for revenge of his attempted murder. Gestures are made, things work out and other things do't work out: we are left without knowing the true results of these attempts at redemption.The cast includes extraordinarily subdued and subtle performances by Billy Bob Thornton, Morgan Freeman, Holly Hunter, and Kirsten Dunst. The smarmy underbelly of a city is captured authentically and artistcially by the cinematographer, and the director paces this quiet, inward tale with a sense of a death march. Though there is no classical music reference made there is a strong resemblance to the mood and metier of the Shostakovich 15th String Quartet. And as 'chamber music' this fine little film will bear revisiting.
Movie Review: Powerful but with a flaw
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie pulls you into the story and holds you there. You may even start talking to the characters. I hate movies that are predictable (I can usually predict what is going to happen next in a Hollywood movie), but this one was SO REFRESHING, because I was constantly surprised by each upcoming scene and dialog!!!
It is a movie about an adult trying to make amends and trying to receive forgiveness after killing someone while young and immature. It stirs up plenty of emotion, and had me weeping a few times.
The area where the movie shows weakness in the script is where some of the characters said they didn't believe in God. If that's really how they believed, then why seek forgiveness from a stranger? Why show any compassion or remorse at all? In fact, you might as well kill whoever you like IF there's no final judgment and IF God isn't watching! The problem is that the characters actions didn't always line up with that belief system. (And of course, there is going to be a judgment, just read the Bible for yourself if you have any doubts. The apostle Paul, who was once anti-Christian, later spoke with the risen Jesus, and willingly died for his faith in Jesus. Paul said we will ALL be judged by Jesus, and that EVERY knee shall bow to Jesus.)
Nevertheless, I give this movie a strong 5-stars. I plan to keep this in my movie library and watch it over and over. The people are likeable, the plot is good, the acting is believable, and the whole movie is refreshingly different and thought provoking.
Movie Review: Interesting concept. Excellent acting. Depressing story.
Summary: 5 Stars
The word "levity" is supposed to mean "lightness", but there is certainly nothing light about this stark drama which deals with sin and redemption. Billy Bob Thornton is cast as a troubled man who has just been released from prison for killing a convenience store clerk in a botched robbery 23 years before. He plays the role with quiet stoicism, wears his graying hair shoulder length and speaks in a gentle voice as he returns to the neighborhood where the crime was committed. Here, he meets Morgan Freeman, a storefront preacher with a secret of his own, and he's given a job as custodian of the place. Kristin Durst is one of the lost young people who he comes in contact with, and in his own simple way, he seems to be making a difference in her life. The person he has come here to meet, however, is the sister of the young man who he had murdered. Holly Hunter is cast in this role and they start to develop a deep friendship, especially when her son gets in trouble and Billy Bob Thornton comes to his aid.
There's a sadness and melancholy to the entire film, which is set on cold dreary winter streets. It's slow, bleak and rather creepy, especially when the hero is visited over and over again by the apparition of the young man who he has murdered. I found the concept interesting, the acting excellent and the story sad and depressing. And yet, it was a fine film.
Movie Review: ONE OF THE 5 BEST MOVIES OF 2003
Summary: 5 Stars
This film is what's known as a sleeper. It was basically disregarded when it came out theatrically, but what a great movie!!! The lead performances are all Oscar worthy! The cinematography by Roger Deakins is visually poetic, a series of contemporary paintings in motion. I've never seen this type of "urban" beauty in a long time. See for yourself and enjoy the subtle imagery. It's awesome.This is a movie that says so much, it stays with you long after you've seen it. It deals with issues about the past; how difficult it can be to deal with guilt; the resignations that one must often make when things we regret cannot be changed; and how through good (and love) evil is conquered. It's a very spiritual film in many ways. I loved it, and I think that most people will appreciate it also. It's not the type of banal garbage Hollywood keeps pumping out. This is a sedate, intelligent, and enormously entertaining film. I applaud whoever had the good taste to finance it! It's simply and unpretentiously wonderful.