Elsbeth Washburn I love that Billy Bob Thornton is unafraid to portray our state as it pretty much is. Of course, there are educated, worldly people here, but the truth is that many Arkansans are as portrayed in the film. The acting is very good, and Laura Dern does an excellent job of portraying her character's complexes. The undercurrent of emotion is consistent throughout the movie creating a quiet chaos and sense of desperation that is the repressed emotion of the family portrayed. This is a true characteristic of the emotional life of many here in Arkansas and I assume in the South in general. These are good, stoic folks. They are not stupid though one may assume they are ignorant. There is a great tenderness and respect in BBT's treatment of the characters. The resolution of the movie remains true to the overall tone and left me with a poignant yet hopeful feeling.Also, LOVED Walton Goggins' turn as a gay man. Priceless. This was also handled with quiet respect and humor. There was not a weak performance in the bunch.

mounttam-pious I bought a copy of this movie, as I have with every B.B.T. movie I could find. I love it. I wasn't even aware of all the big name talents who were a part of this picture, but was very happily surprised to see the character "Alvin," who I kept thinking, "Wow, that looks like John Prine, he even sounds like John Prine." Then to find out it was him, that was a thrill. I have watched this film several times and it seems like each time I do, I catch a line that I didn't manage to hear on the first viewing. There's a lot of that going on here. My favourite scene has to be the liquor store trip, done in slo-mo to the tune of "Ghost Riders In The Sky." Brilliantly funny. I laughed my face off throughout this movie. One of my favourites. I don't know why it didn't fare better. Probably because of the dumbing down of America (and Canada as well.) The humour would go right over a lot of heads.

brintonepperson It looks like the lack of marketing for this film has really caused the filmgoing public to be deprived. I understand there was some turmoil surrounding the films release, which is why it was so delayed, and had things worked out better, it may have reached the audience it was designed for. The endearing part of this movie, with it's wandering plot, and it's archetypal characters, is that it is an accurate reflection of daily life among many of the lower middle class that lives in the middle of this country. I know these characters. Every one of them could be a neighbor to me. Although this film was based in Arkansas, it easily could have been made in Clay City, KY, right down to the phrase "daddy and them's" to refer to the patriarchal home-place. In short, this movie is about life, and not everyone's life, but hopefully about the life of someone everyone knows. When you add in the stellar cast, including hillbilly hero John Prine, this movie can simply not go unwatched.

tc_hoosier Just watched this movie and felt compelled to comment about it. I have seen Sling Blade and was moved by Thornton's ability to portray a character. Well he didn't let me down in this one either! When I saw John Prine, I almost flipped! I missed seeing his name on the box when I rented it, and it really made the movie! I am a really huge fan of Prine, but never knew he made this movie. I only wish there had been an opportunity for him to sing during the movie, but the song afterward was great. If you watch the DVD version, make sure you listen to the commentary Billy Bob makes when John Prine wakes him up on the hood of the car. I most certainly agree with him that Prine does, indeed, steal the movie!