MovieChat Forums > Sling Blade (1997) Discussion > Did you notice that Doyle is actually sm...

Did you notice that Doyle is actually smart, just surrounded by simple people?

posted 6 years ago by ebhaynz (3525)
11 replies | jump to latest

Yes, Doyle is the bad guy but he's actually very smart..it seems he's extremely frustrated being trapped in a small southern town with simple people, maybe he long's to be elsewhere? I love it when he sarcastically tells Karl "Welcome to our humble home". Doyle knows the whole family dynamic is dysfunctional and hopeless and even though he's smart he's like so many guys that feel TRAPPED and can't find a way out. Note he gets his angriest when he's around his bandmates, the more simpleton's he's around the more he gets frustrated and lashes out. Doyle has nobody to talk to on his level, he's become cynical and mean and talks down to everyone because he feels their beneath his contempt.

[–] BourbonKing (5612) 6 years ago

I see your point about his character and I think BBT and Yoakam did a good job of creating a character that his both loathsome but also identifiable for his weaknesses. Most "bad guy" characters are drawn in one-dimensional notes (Clint Eastwood is notorious for this imho) where he creates trashy antagonists that are easy to hate. Doyle reminds me of many bitter and angry losers I've met thru life who ended up like him or nearly close to it.

[–] CinemaDemon989 (1286) 6 years ago

And that's what made the movie so great...the subtle realism.

[–] HelpMeRhonda (1154) 5 years ago

Interesting. Yeah I was almost rooting for Doyle’s redemption. Like, maybe Carl will help Doyle see the error of his ways. But nah.

[–] ebhaynz (3525) 5 years ago

Doyle certainly wasn't going to turn it around like Lt. Dan did!

[–] HelpMeRhonda (1154) 5 years ago

You right about that! Lt. Dan was certainly fully-redeemed after the storm in the shrimp boat.

[–] TexasJack (12515) 5 years ago

I didn’t get the impression that he was very smart.

[–] TheArgentinian (6413) 3 years ago

Me neither. He's pure wife beating white trash.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

I think Doyle just got to the point where he was sick of himself. I can't say it was because he was so smart, he seemed able to work and had to have some kind of money going for him since he owned his own contracting company. Sometimes it just seems that there's no where to go, no one to talk to and nothing worthwhile to do. I guess Doyle is the result of being stuck in that rut for too long. I'm sure his drunkenness didn't help any.

[–] Heisenberg (6266) 4 years ago

Good analysis. I also felt sorry for his demise, he was trash but death was uncalled for.
He broke one window and pushed her after she pushed him first.
Not really satan.

[–] kungfulord (957) 3 years ago

Karl was trying to protect the kid Doyle would destroy him and in time the kid would grow up bitter and become someone like Doyle himself a selfhated individual incapable of have a mutual respectful relationship with nobody

Growin up around some one who is constantly drunk and figthing creating situation of violence can make you bitter and angry and resentful i can talk from experience so the dessicion of Karl make sense for me is not like something i condone but i understand what he meant when he say something like Doyle would ruin the kid heart

[–] kungfulord (957) 3 years ago

I never saw any indicator of Doyle being particular inteligent he obviously is frustrated about everything and everybody around him but that for itself is not a sign of inteligence. The character is deep and complex someone you can hate but also feel pitty for him, is obviously a tormented soul with a bad childhood, Linda mention something like the reason of his bitterness is the history with his family that make him the way he is