Sling Blade (1996)****

Seen on 8-8-2009 - HBO Movie
Cast: Billy Bob Thornton (Karl Childers), Lucas Black (Frank Whitley, the boy)
Dwight Yoakam (Doyle), Natalie Canerday (Linda, the boy's mother
Dir.: Billy Bob Thornton (Oscar-winning tour de force)
Committed to a psychiatric hospital, Karl Childers is released after 12 years on being found reformed and normal. He was sent here 12 years ago for killing his mother and her lover whom he found in a "wrong" position. Asked if he would kill again, he matter-of-factly answers he has no reason to. On coming out, he has no where to go and he is being regarded as a 'retard.' But he is observant, keeps to himself, acts with great restraint even when people make fun of him and his responses are intelligent and tactful
Eventually, he makes friends with a boy called Frank who take to him immediately. A great bond develops between them and he begins to live with the boy's family which consists of his mother and her lover. The lover is always abusive, drunken and violent. He ill-treats the boy as well as his mother. The boy would have killed him if he could.
Karl finally decides to kill Doyle and surrender to authorities. He liberates the boy and his mother from the clutches of this evil person.
The film recalls ONE FLEW OVER CUCKOO'S NEST.