Levity (2003)

Levity: Directed by Ed Solomon. With Billy Bob Thornton, Morgan Freeman, Holly Hunter, Kirsten Dunst. After two decades in prison for murder, a man is released on parole and returns to his hometown seeking redemption.

“This first time director, Ed Solomon, makes an incredible change over from writing films for the masses, by writing and directing this introspective and moody look into the troubled souls of the fallen. I just caught up to it on cable. At any rate, it was well worth watching. This is an Indie that makes a statement without punching us in the head with it.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eManuel, the lifer that is released at the beginning of the film, ends up looking for a connection with the family of the convenient store clerk he shot and killed during his wild youth. Now, Manuel is older and wiser and knows that he has been spared from the mean streets. It doesnu0026#39;t seem logical for him to do so, but in a way, is his way to express his sorrow at the horror he caused by being reckless.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe encounter with Adele, and her acceptance of this odd man is a bit hard to understand. This woman reacts with caution at first, but realizes Manuel is harmless; thus begins the friendship between them, without a hint of the actual identity of Manuel. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe thing that didnu0026#39;t make sense is the presence of Sofia, a child of privilege in the seedy club that is near the soup kitchen that Miles, another mysterious character runs. Once we overcome those hurdles, it is easy to see where the director is taking us.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eBilly Bob Thornton plays Manuel as a man on auto pilot. The world he encounters when he is released is a world so different from what he knew. Mr. Thornton gives another phenomenal performance. Holly Hunter makes an understated Adele. She approaches the character with an economy that is amazing, yet we know at all times what this woman is feeling.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003enAlthough Sofia, the young woman appears to be confused and out of place, Kirsten Dunst is quite effective as she plays her. The only one that does not convince us is Miles, perhaps because of Morgan Freemanu0026#39;s approach to this man. Dorian Harewood has a small, but intense moment in the story.”