Levity (2003)

After two decades in prison for murder, a man is released on parole and returns to his hometown seeking redemption.

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 discusses a 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 victim's 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:

fbi federal bureau of investigation | redemption | community house | singer | parole | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

When you listen to the melody when Sophia is taking Manuel to her house for breakfast, it sounds like the song "Breakfast at Tiffany's, but they never use the last refrain (so much left undone) Checked the music credits, but it didn't mention it. Sounds like it. It's 6 simple chords, maybe there not copy written.

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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

Manuel Jordan: Abner, put the gun down.
Abner Easley: What the fuck are you doing? Get the fuck out of here.

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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

Taking a Bath in Rust
Written by Mark Oliver Everett
Performed by Eels (as Eels)
Sir Rock-A-Lot Music (ASCAP)
Courtesy of DreamWorks Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES

I was fortunate enough to have been invited by a friend to preview this film at a press screening. Included in the press kit given to me at the screening was background information about the film which enhanced my viewing experience. What I found intriguing was the fact that the film was inspired by such a compelling personal experience. While attending UCLA (Writer-Director) Ed Solomon was tutoring a teenager in a maximum security juvenile prison. One of his students was a boy serving a life sentence for murder who carried around a photo of his victim, often holding and touching it. This experience was the catalyst for "LEVITY".

Written and directed by Ed Solomon who is best known for writing such comedies as "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures" and "Men in Black". This is an impressive directing debut.

The film stars Billy Bob Thornton, Morgan Freeman, Kirsten Dunst and Holly Hunter. This is a story of an ex con (Thornton) who is unexpectedly released early from prison for killing a teenager during an attempted robbery. He tries to find some kind of personal redemption with the help of minister (Freeman) and two woman (Hunter) and (Dunst).

I was immersed in the story almost immediately. The interaction between Freeman and Dunst is dynamic and authentic. The cast is exceptional and the perfomances outstanding. I found this film to be not only insightful,inspiring and thought provoking but it also had several FUNNY moments.

It is shot by four time Oscar nominated Director of Photography Roger Deakins who added pleasing imagery. Worth mentioning is the music of Mark Oliver Everett.

This film leaves a lasting impression and I found myself reflecting on it a few days after I saw it. I highly recommend this film and plan on seeing it again in April when it opens.

Details

Official Sites:

Official website [United States]

Country:

USA France

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 August 2003 (Norway)

Also Known As:

Levity

Filming Locations:

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$7,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$30,599, 6 April 2003

Gross USA:

$209,695

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$723,040

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