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 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 think God talks to me? We argue maybe, but He don't participate. It's all right. I'll see Him one day. When I do, I'm gonna whip His holy ass.

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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

Metro Man
Performed by Johnny Hawksworth (as Johnny Hawksworth)
Courtesy of DeWolfe Music
By Arrangement with Media Creature Music

User Reviews

Excellent!

"Levity" (2003) Artfully melancholic. Real, perhaps even surreal as this story quietly, yet gracefully plumbs the depths between reality & perception, introspection, fate and (mis)fortune. Heart-wrenching in its sincerity.

The story revolves about a man freed from concrete walls and bars, but not of his conscious. What follows is a remarkable journey into the thought and life of a man seeking redemption. As his journey begins, he encounters the beginnings of a new life. Laid bare & unpretentious, the mood is set within the confines of what one may encounter upon re-entering society. The cinematography is excellent, appropriate and chillingly in-line with the theme of this movie. Top-notch actors in supporting roles make this film a "must see". This is, a great film.