# A Billy Bob Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 6, 2003, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-billy-bob-thread/186626 "2003-07-06T21:12:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-billy-bob-thread/186626/1 "2003-07-06T21:12:22Z")
Billy Bob’s name has cropped up in several threads lately, and I thought it might be proper to devote a thread to general discussion of this man’s accomplishments. Check out [this IMDB link](http://us.imdb.com/Name?Thornton,+Billy+Bob) for a list of his movie credits and other details. I’ve been a fan since the first time I saw him in a bit role. Probably in _Indecent Proposal_ and although I have yet to see all his stuff, I have never been disappointed in his work, even when the movie is otherwise weak. He was especially clever and frank when interviewed on Inside The Actors Studio. One quote of his that really made a great deal of sense, but which I’ll have to paraphrase: ========================================= _If it wasn’t for The South there wouldn’t be any **American Music** _ ========================================= Your take (pro or con) on this man and his work. (And if there are older threads dealing with Billy Bob, please provide links,) ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_H](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@Bill\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_H)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2003, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-billy-bob-thread/186626/2 "2003-07-07T00:49:26Z")
Big big lover of Sling Blade. And the Angelina gig was pretty impressive too. And Monster’s Ball was better than average. Other than that, I’ve considered him pretty ordinary. ---
**Author:** ![Sylkyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/da6949/32.png) [@Sylkyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylkyn)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2003, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-billy-bob-thread/186626/3 "2003-07-07T01:16:47Z")
I liked him in Sling Blade and in Armageddon. I’ve yet to see Monster’s Ball, but want to see it, mainly because of him. I think he’s a damn fine actor, but from what I’ve read about him, I doubt I’d like him in person. But who knows? It’s not like the gossip rags are exactly known for their truthfulness. ---
**Author:** ![green\_bladder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@green\_bladder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/green_bladder)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2003, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-billy-bob-thread/186626/4 "2003-07-07T04:48:09Z")
He was impressive in _The Man Who Wasn’t There_. But that’s the only BBT movie I’ve seen. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2003, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-billy-bob-thread/186626/5 "2003-07-07T07:40:24Z")
I enjoyed his performances in _The Man Who Wasn’t There Sling Blade Monster’s Ball Pushing Tin A Simple Plan U Turn Bandits_ (though I didn’t like the movie so much) I hated, hated, HATED _Armageddon_. I also really liked _The Gift_ (which he wrote) and _All the Pretty Horses_ (which he directed). And Angelina Jolie is so damn hot that I would admire him for that alone. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2003, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-billy-bob-thread/186626/6 "2003-07-07T10:08:23Z")
AJ is hot, but kinda scary. I can see a very active and sharp brain working in there. I’m just not sure I would like what she’s thinking. Likewise, I can sense a very sharp brain working inside BBT’s head. I think this reflects on his work. The diversity of the characters he’s played is stunning, though one might argue that a common theme is loser. He’s one of those few people in Hollywood which I think would be worth seeing on a stage. I can easily picture him as Jean in Ms Julie. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2003, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-billy-bob-thread/186626/7 "2003-07-07T11:10:22Z")
That ability to transform his entire persona from role to role is the main aspect of his acting that impresses me. Even when he was on Actors Studio I wasn’t sure I was seeing the “real” Billy Bob. He had on a cap and that managed to capture his “down home” aspect. If you haven’t seen _One False Move_ I’d recommend that as it was the first time his writing got critical mention. His performance also is noteworthy. I believe that was the first major role of his I saw. I guess the main thing that appeals to me about him is the way he depicts the “good old boy” with no excesses. The accent, the mannerisms, the underplaying, all of it reminds me of the real GOB’s I’ve known over the years. It’s subtle and accurate. The bit with AJ is a two-edged sword for me. I didn’t think it had much of a chance from the start. He doesn’t seem to have that “commitment” thing in his makeup. There’s a revealing _Bravo Profiles_ on him if you get a chance to catch a rerun. Tells a lot about his background and his goals. The boy is deep, as **The Gaspode** suggests.