The story in this excellent film revolves around Hank Grotowski (Billy Bob Thornton), a white man who has grown up in the Deep South with many of the prejudices one might expect to see in a man with his background. Hank, however, also has issues with his family that begin to boil over as the story unfolds.
Hank works as a corrections officer with his son, Sonny (Heath Ledger). Hank’s father, played brilliantly by Peter Boyle, also used to work as a corrections officer. Hank and Sonny help to carry out the execution of a black man, played by Sean “Puffy” Combs in an excellent performance. This leads to a series of events that force Hank to confront his feelings toward his job, his family and his racial views.
Billy Bob Thornton gives another fantastic performance as Hank, again displaying an understated brilliance that few actors can achieve, and the rest of the cast also shines.
Halle Berry is equally essential to the film’s power. As Leticia Musgrove, the widow of the executed inmate, she embodies a woman pushed to the brink by grief, poverty, and isolation. Leticia and Hank connect on a very human level. Their connection is awkward, though there’s a quiet chemistry between them that helps them navigate the inevitable fallout of their relationship. Berry’s performance is fearless as she matches Thornton’s quiet intensity and then lets it all go during their intense sex scene. She deserved her Best Actress Oscar.
The film is a slow burn but the story is powerful and believable. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a quality drama that doesn’t fit the Hollywood stereotype.
4 / 5 Stars
Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Halle Berry, Heath Ledger, Peter Boyle, Sean Combs
Director: Marc Forster
