Levity

The title of writer/director/producer Ed Solomon's film is ironic: Levity is, in actuality, a ponderous, slow-paced fable of redemption. The story of an ex-con carrying a heavy burden of guilt who strives to make amends for his past misdeeds and in the process has a positive effect on the lives of others, the picture stars Billy Bob Thornton, in one of his minimalist performances, as Manual Jordan, a man sentenced to a life term for killing a young clerk but paroled against his will after more than two decades in prison. Returning to Chicago determined to express his regret to the victim's sister Adele (Holly Hunter), he instead becomes romantically attracted to the woman, eventually even saving her son from street violence. Also, through an association with an enigmatic preacher (Morgan Freeman), Jordan aids some ghetto kids and a self-destructive suburban girl (Kirsten Dunst). The struggle of a convicted murderer to come to terms with his guilt is a potentially powerful theme, and Solomon's picture boasts an exceptional cast, but Levity remains resolutely earthbound, like a sermon delivered very deliberately, and at inordinate length, by an uninspired homilist; though clearly sincere and well-intentioned, it's a stylistically drab, dramatically muddled film. Optional. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director Ed Solomon, editor Pietro Scalia, and producer Adam Merims; a 16-minute “On the Set” behind-the-scenes featurette; and trailers. Bottom line: a decent extras package for a disappointing film.] (F. Swietek)