Levity

 

 

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I wish I could fill my library with movies exactly like this. When I first saw this movie, I sort of watched it in shock. Stories of this quality are so rare! First and foremost, this is about forgiveness. Each character in our story feels that they have failed in some way, and they're not sure how to simply make it right. To make peace. Large mistakes, little mistakes, these little devils tend to stay with us, sowing the seeds is discontent.
Manual Jordan (Billy Bob Thorton) is released from jail after 20 years and embarks on a mission to find redemption, although he doesn't really expect to find it. Perhaps it is the journey that is more important to him. He finds a preacher (Morgan Freeman) who is trying to reach a bunch of teenagers and steer them away from the destructive lifestyles they're leading. He runs a makeshift church/soup kitchen across the street from a local dance club.
Manual also comes in to the life of a woman (Holly Hunter) who is trying to steer her son away from the gang street life he is falling in to. By far my favorite piece of this story is played by the beautiful Kirsten Dunst. She is the emotional heart of the story as the confused party girl who dreams of a better life, but has no idea how to get there. Suffering from low self-esteem and an angry alcoholic mother, she drifts closer to harms way each night.
What is story has to offer is emotions in raw form. What would any of us do in extreme circumstances? Most of us will never know. These people do. Most of their lives have been impacted by one form of violence or another. These are decent people inside. People that made bad choices. The road to hell is paved with good intentions they say and little tiny mistakes. Pretty soon these little mistakes feed on themselves and before you know it, you start having BIG lapses in good judgment. How did this happen? How did I get here? ---by many little mistakes.
What was most important to me in this story was the insight in to the fragility and strength of the human spirit. These people are not perfect. But each of them is hoping for something better, something more meaningful. A purpose, and maybe a little emotional justice. You can think of them all as wounded animals, trapped in a box. Most of them don't know how they got in there. They want out. They don't know how to get out, and they're growing increasingly desperate. It is in this dark place that they find their true characters. By looking their little devils in the face and choosing another path, they find begin to find peace within themselves.

I know that this is not always a pretty picture. But sometimes you need to look at the ugliness of humanity in order to see the beauty. Beauty is there, whether we see it or not. And that's what I think this movie is, beautiful.

Considering the cast, I thought that Levity received a surprisingly small amount of attention. Most likely that's becuase it doesn't meet the standard for the type of movie average Americans enjoy.
I thought Billy Bob Thornton did an excellent job with his character. All of the characters draw you into the movie. Levity is quiet for the most part and somewhat grim, but at the same time it contains dark comedy throughout the entire length of the movie. A good movie overall.

How do we reconcile with the mistakes we have made in the past? This is a thought provoking story about a man's struggle to make amends for a murder he committed impulsively as a youth. Instead of distancing the viewer, the film suggests that we are all capable (if not guilty) of regrettable acts, and goes on to explore the ways a person can be of use in the world as opposed to merely "taking up space." The film has a meditative quality and a deliberate pace, but is very absorbing nonetheless. An excellent cast and moody soundtrack complement the screenplay. The only reason I didn't give five stars is that the plot is a bit cliched, and the main philosophical soliloquy is inexplicably recited verbatim twice in the film, so it begins to feel a bit didactic. Still, a very touching film.

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4.0 out of 5 stars The direction of choices & regrets...
Manuel Jordan (Billy Bob Thornton) is unexpectedly released from prison after having been incarcerated for two decades for murder, which he solemnly regrets committing. Read more

Published on Feb 17 2004 by Kim Anehall

5.0 out of 5 stars A great tale about redemption with a solid cast
I have yet to see a movie with Billy Bob Thornton, Morgan Freeman, Kirsten Dunst or Holly Hunter that I don't like. Read more

Published on Dec 26 2003 by Manny Hernandez

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great drama, well done and moving.
Another example of how a great movie gets overlooked because it was too slow and too deep for our chills & thrills modern movie-watching habits. Read more

Published on Nov 23 2003 by Stuart Gibson

5.0 out of 5 stars Chamber Music
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. Read more

Published on Sep 29 2003 by Grady Harp

1.0 out of 5 stars Pointless and Boring
When I put this movie in my DVD player, I was expecting a heist with cool characters and snappy dialogue. Obviously I was way off! Read more

Published on Sep 20 2003 by Jackson Brown

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting concept. Excellent acting. Depressing story.
The word "levity" is supposed to mean "lightness", but there is certainly nothing light about this stark drama which deals with sin and redemption. Read more

Published on Sep 6 2003 by Linda Linguvic

4.0 out of 5 stars MURDER AND ATONEMENT
New on DVD (August, 03), this overlooked, exceptional film strikes an emotional chord with universal truths. Read more

Published on Sep 1 2003 by Robin Simmons

5.0 out of 5 stars ONE OF THE 5 BEST MOVIES OF 2003
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! Read more

Published on Aug 27 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars Billy Bob Thornton In Excellent Redemption Drama...
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. Read more

Published on Aug 24 2003 by Benjamin J Burgraff

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