Levity (2003)

The film philosophical approach at redemption. The protagonist Manual Jordan has gotten parole from a life sentence for the murder of Abner Easley, and returns to the city he lived in to ... See full summary »

Director:

Ed Solomon

Writer:

Ed Solomon

Stars:

Billy Bob Thornton, Morgan Freeman, Kirsten Dunst

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Billy Bob Thornton	...	Manuel Jordan
Morgan Freeman	...	Miles Evans
Holly Hunter	...	Adele Easley
Kirsten Dunst	...	Sofia Mellinger
Manuel Aranguiz	...	Senor Aguilar
Geoffrey Wigdor	...	Abner Easley
Luke Robertson	...	Young Abner Easley
Dorian Harewood	...	Mackie Whittaker
Catherine Colvey	...	Claire Mellinger
Billoah Greene	...	Don
Sadiki Burke	...	Sadiki
Abede Burke	...	Abede
Diego Abella	...	Raul
Brent Rogers	...	Ty
Cordell Clyde	...	Cleve

Storyline

The film philosophical approach at redemption. The protagonist Manual Jordan has gotten parole from a life sentence for the murder of Abner Easley, and returns to the city he lived in to try to seek redemption. He ends up living and working at a community house run by a preacher, Miles Evans. The film is equipped with beautiful voice-overs about the meaning of life and different philosophies for getting redeemed. Manual also becomes friends with Adele Easley, his victims sister, in an attempt to make up for what he did. While working at the home he has interactions with Sofia Mellinger, the druggie daughter of a famous singer, struggling with the lack of adult guidance in her life.

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Plot Keywords:

redemption | community house | singer | parole | robbery | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Official Sites:

Official website [United States]

Country:

USA France

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 August 2003 (Norway)

Also Known As:

Forsoningens tid

Filming Locations:

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$7,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$30,599, 6 April 2003, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$209,151, 17 August 2003

Company Credits

Production Co:

StudioCanal, Sony Pictures Classics, FilmColony

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although the film was shot entirely in Montreal, Quebec, in one of the final scenes, as Manuel has entered the Metro, and it is leaving the station, the map seen inside the train is, in fact, a map of the central Washington, D.C. area.

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Goofs

During a scene at the soup kitchen, Miles wants help serving the soup and shoots a slice of bread at Manual to get his attention. The bread lands on Manual's tray next to his soup bowl. In the next shot, the slice of bread has disappeared.

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Quotes

Miles Evans: You know, you could get lucky. God might decide to grade you on the curve.
Manuel Jordan: It wouldn't matter either way.
Miles Evans: You don't know what the hell you talking about, do you? Why be afraid of a God that you don't believe in? Oh, I know, it seems like people are making up shit so they can feel good about all the pain, all the cruelty, loss, violence, suffering, death. Famine, bigotry, small-mindedness, repression, depression, oppression. Want me to keep talking? 'Cause I can go on forever with this shit.
Manuel Jordan: No,...
[...]

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Crazy Credits

Thanks to ... Terry & Siobhan ... Cynthia, Evan and Olivia ...

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Connections

Referenced in The Dialogue: An Interview with Screenwriter Ed Solomon (2007)

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Soundtracks

Hello
Performed by Squeak Ru, Dawn & Goldie
Written by Clint Sands and Marcus Moore
Courtesy of Mr. Payback Productions
By Arrangement with Media Creature Music

User Reviews

Fantastic Film

Thorton stars as a man who is free after serving 23 years for killing a teenager during an attempted robbery. After nearly two decades of staring at his victim's face on a newspaper clipping in his cell, the paroled man attempts to find redemption, in the form of a mysterious minister (Freeman) and two needy women (Dunst and Hunter).

I saw this film in the 99 cents store. I looked at the cast, which are great. I looked at the price, which was also great. And I read the plot in the back of the VHS, which got me to buy this film. It looked interesting. So there I watched the movie and I loved it! It's one of the best films ever made.

It was well crafted, beautifully cast, with a great script. I was moved and gripped. For me, this is Billy Bob Thornton's best performance, yet, although I haven't watched Monster's Ball, yet. His performance was superb, like everyone else in the cast, including Morgan Freeman, Holly Hunter, and Kirsten Dunst.

This film is subtle on everything. It keeps your attention and it is a good moral film. I never have much to say about great films, and it's no different here. If you see this film on the shelf, I suggest you to go buy it because it is your money's worth, although I bought it for 99 cents.