Manual Jordan (Billy Bob Thornton) is happy to be in prison until he's forced out when his life sentence is commuted. He was imprison for the murder of Abner Easley when 23 years ago during a convenience store robbery. He returns to seek redemption which he knows he can't have. Preacher Miles Evans (Morgan Freeman) gets him to watch the parking lot. It's a rundown place with a nightclub and liquor stores as neighbors. He befriends hard-partying lost girl Sofia Mellinger (Kirsten Dunst) and Abner Easley's sister Adele (Holly Hunter).

There is no levity here. It is a slow prodding meandering slough. Billy Bob delivers a deliberately flat performance. Kirsten Dunst's character has some potential but Holly Hunter isn't compelling. There is little tension. It may work better to have the two characters merge and let Kirsten Dunst be the sister. It's a long mediation which may have some deep meaning but it's a grind to get there.

I will admit first that I didn't pay full attention to this film when it was on, but this directorial debut from Men in Black and Bill & Ted writer Ed Soloman looked alright. Basically Manuel Jordan (Billy Bob Thornton) killed a teenager while attempting a robbery, and after 23 years he has been released from prison. He is hoping to find redemption returning to his home city, and he ends up working for preacher Miles Evans (Morgan Freeman) in a community house. He also becomes friends with the sister of his victim, Adele Easley (Holly Hunter),hoping to be forgiven. He also has interactions with a famous singer's druggie daughter, Sofia Mellinger (Kirsten Dunst),with no adult responsibility. That's really all the story I got. Also starring Dorian Harewood as Mackie Whittaker, Geoffrey Wigdor as Abner Easley, Luke Robertson as Young Abner Easley, Billoah Greene as Don, Manuel Aranguiz as Senor Aguilar and Catherine Colvey as Claire Mellinger. I'm sure if I was watching properly I could give the performances and the film itself better credit, but I guess what I did see was enough. Worth watching!

A recently paroled convict, who as a teenager shot and killed a young convenience store worker, is left to find his way in society; he's offered a custodial job from a hot-tempered, streetwise pastor, and hopes to connect with the sister of his victim in order to complete the cycle of redemption--but he finds it isn't that easy. Billy Bob Thornton gives a controlled, emotional performance that comes from deep within. The film isn't quite in balance--and has some quirky, uncertain moments near the beginning that either don't ring true or just don't feel natural--but stick with it and you might find resonance in the extraordinary acting and the way the story arcs in just the right way. Terrific casting and performances, atmospheric production and locales, several amazing, emotional moments. *** from ****