Levity MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +1 1/2 Content: -2 1/2

Manuel Jordan (Billy Bob Thornton) served over 20 years for murdering a young man in a drug store robbery. Although he had been in prison a long time, he never failed to meditate on the guilt he felt about the killing. When a parole board decides to release Jordan, he searches for the sister of the man he shot, telling himself he wants to help her because of what he did to her brother. When Jordan finds the mans sister, Adele (Holly Hunter), he befriends her, but does not reveal his identity. Soon Jordan realizes that Adeles teenage son, Abner (Geoffrey Wigdor), may repeat his own mistakes. Jordan attempts to intervene. During this time Manuel Jordan lives and works at a community outreach center for homeless people. Sofia Mellinger (Kirsten Dunst) is a troubled youth who frequents the center. Jordans relationship with these people has positive results, yet all the while he struggles with his guilt and the burden of having taken a human life. This causes him to talk to people honestly and openly, with the exception of Adele. When she begins to fall in love with Jordan, he discovers that he must tell her who he is.

Levity deals honestly with guilt and forgiveness. Twice during the movie, the main character narrates five steps toward redemption. These five steps include: making things right with God, making things right with others, and repentance (making a better choice in future situations). The movie exposes the guilt and emotional wounds of wronging other people, yet explains that doing good does not make up for the wrong. The main character truly desires to find forgiveness for his crime. A woman shows deep forgiveness. The movie shows how ugly sin can be; i.e., a mother loves booze more than her daughter, a girl attempts to commit suicide by partying too hard, and teenagers have no respect for others. The characters degrade one another by using obscene language and cursing. A preacher portrayed by Morgan Freeman doesnt believe in God, cusses abundantly, and smokes marijuana. Teens are involved in gangs. Levity does cause the viewer to search his/her soul, but it is not up lifting.

Preview Reviewer: Blaine Butcher
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics