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

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

Don: Finally, some pussy!
Sofia Mellinger: You know what they say, you are what you eat.

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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

Don't Believe the Title

An Ed Solomon film starring Billy Bob Thornton, Morgan Freeman, Holly Hunter and Kirsten Dunst. This is a very personal film by the writer of Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure and Men in Black. Too slow-moving for mainstream acceptance, this is nevertheless a movie of depth and compassion. It grapples with the issue of redemption, and leaves the audience with uncertainty that is nonetheless remarkably calming-hope without moralism. Thornton was . Thornton. He has the range of a tetherball. I don't think Morgan Freeman is at his best in this film. And we don't see enough of Holly Hunter to appreciate her. The film had some very funny moments, but I can't think of a less appropriate title. Having said all that, this movie is worth the trip because it is thought-provoking, subtle and oddly inspiring.

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