A SIMPLE PLAN Review by Victory A. Marasigan http://www.gl.umbc.edu/~vmaras1/reviewsidx.html
A Simple Plan is a taut, gripping thriller-drama about a pipe dream which becomes reality...and then strips three unsuspecting men of their innocence. At the film's outset, Hank Mitchell (Bill Paxton) considers his life acceptable, if not spectacular. He has a loving wife, a baby on the way, and he's respected as a member of his midwestern community. There may be hints of a strained relationship between him and his hyuck-hyucking older brother Jacob (Billy Bob Thornton), but it's nothing either of the boys feels deserves discussion. If asked, Hank probably wouldn't consider changing a thing.
Hank's content perspective on life is skewed when, along with Jacob and his brother's slovenly buddy Lou (Brent Briscoe), he discovers a crashed puddle-jumper carrying over $4 million. "No one's looking for this cash," rationalize Jacob and Lou. "Who's gonna know?" Hank, the only one of the trio with an education and a steady job, tries to fight the notion of keeping the money. After some goading from Jacob and Lou, Hank opts to store the cash and see what happens. It isn't long after taking the money home that Hank begins to feel his conscience weakening. But it's already too late. Murphy's Law has already gone into effect. Before the boys can even begin to appreciate the life-changing heft of their "lucky" discovery, an innocent man is dead and people are talking.
Thornton's performance as Jacob is probably the best thing about the film, laying to rest any post-Sling Blade doubt that Billy Bob is a great actor. Jacob is a simple man, a social outcast with with no dreams to pursue. His slow toothy drawl betrays his lack of "book-larnin'," but some of the things that come out of his mouth indicate a sharp if underused intelligence.
Director Sam Raimi, best known for his bizarre Evil Dead horror series, is for once aesthetically subdued in his direction. His camera seems to care more about the actors on the screen than their visually brilliant surroundings. Perhaps this is because the director realized that the way in which the three men's situation spins out of control is thrilling in itself, without fancy cinematography getting in the way. The sheet-white nothingness of thesnow-covered town adequately illustrates the moral void these men must traverse.
As another tale of money and murder in the snow, this film is sure to breed comparisons to the well-crafted murder-and-money flick Fargo. But A Simple Plan works on a different level, addressing issues of family discord and individual self-worth throughout its shocking story. By the time poor Jacob woefully asks his brother, "Do you ever feel evil?" it's clear this film is no Fargo rip-off.
Only towards the end of A Simple Plan are we reminded that we're watching a movie. The final act plot twist is all too contrived and convenient. Thankfully, it leads to a compelling ending with logical implications. When all is said and done, we are left with the notion that sometimes what's best for us is what we already have.
GRADE: A-
Reviewed January 25, 1999 at Loews White Marsh Theaters, White Marsh, MD.
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