Way back in 1995, Jim Jarmusch gave Billy Bob Thornton a part in his film DEAD MAN. Well the next year, Billy Bob Thornton directed his own movie, SLING BLADE. He asked Jarmusch if he would do a small part in his movie. The resulting scene would be one of my favorites in the entire film. I still mention “French fried potaters” to this day, especially the “big ‘uns!” And I just love the fact that Jarmusch was right here in Benton, Arkansas.
The Frosty Cream is a McDonald’s now, but I love seeing the area how it was 30 years ago! Watch and enjoy!
Through the Shattered Lens 
That scene is both amusing, and heartbreaking. I kept waiting for Jim Jarmusch’s character to be ‘mean’ or say something nasty and was greatly relieved when he didn’t. This might be categorized as a ‘fish-out-of-water’ scene, and I sometimes wonder how I would adjust. I certainly wouldn’t have the confidence that Karl does! And Benson must be a great place, where a simple person can ask-and-get a recommendation for something good to eat, and not have the transaction go sideways! I did notice Jarmusch kept hitting his paper hat on the window-edge. At first I thought he just wasn’t familiar with the job and how to lean out the window, but on the second ‘bump’ I realized that this was part of his character, along with pushing his glasses up his nosebridge. As awkward as Karl may have seemed, Jarmusch’s character also had his own awkwardness. Game recognizes game!
I did see Jarmusch’s DOWN BY LAW (1986) in the theater at the Beverly Cinema, and just loved the dry sensibility. It reminded me of a Steven Wright bit. My favorite scene there was the inmates sitting, smoking, and staring into space. Films had trained me to expect some kind of action or dialogue to move the story forward, but this was just a 60 second depiction of incarcerated men doing 60 seconds of time. Perfect. Also enjoyed GHOST DOG, and the depiction of contemporary Mafia and their decline in status. Much as rappers enjoy and use old gangster movies as influence, it was hilarious to see older Mafia members listening to rappers and recognizing them as influencers. Meanwhile, they have angry landlords grinding them for back rent! Jarmusch does recognize irony.
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John, one of the most interesting things about Sling Blade to me, is that we have a family friend who is a lot like Karl. My dad grew up with a group of brothers here and this man is the youngest of those brothers. He dresses up a little better than Karl, has a better haircut, and doesn’t have the voice, but his other mannerisms are so similar. That’s one of the reasons the movie really speaks to me. And would you believe I’ve never seen Down by Law? I have not watched a lot of Jarmusch’s work, although I have watched Ghost Dog. This is one of those blind spots I need to clear up at some point in my life.
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