Review of A SIMPLE PLAN
By Jerry Saravia
Once in a blue moon, a film will come along and will grab you by the throat and never let go - it will also make you identify with actions committed by human behavior under certain circumstances. "A Simple Plan" is that kind of film - a rip-snorting, understated morality tale told with finesse and acute observation by a director who's not known for restraint, Sam Raimi ("Darkman," "The Evil Dead").
Bill Paxton stars as Hank Mitchell, an accountant for a small feed store in the frozen tundra of Minnesota. Only this town is not populated by the stereotypical denizens of "Fargo" - these are ordinary people about to be overcome by extraordinary circumstances. Hank is an average, righteous Joe, living a complacent, innocent existence with his wife, Sarah (Bridget Fonda). Hank's fate lies in the woods when he's accompanied by his inarticulate brother, Jacob (Billy Bob Thornton), and his alcoholic friend, Lou (Brent Briscoe). The threesome inadvertently discover a small plane lodged in the snow, and there appears a miracle in the form of a duffel bag: millions of dollars in cash. Naturally, the three men are at odds of what to do with the money - Hank decides he'll keep it since he's an accountant and can manage it. The truth is that neither one knows how to deal with such a sticky situation. Hank tells the boys to keep their secret quiet while he does just the opposite - he tells his gleamy, smiling wife when he throws the cash on the table. Lou is no better when he spills the beans to his shouting wife. The only one who seems capable of maintaining secrecy is Jacob because he has no one to turn to anyway, except his brother.
"A Simple Plan" shows how men and women act when money enters their path, and how their behavior changes drastically. This is not fresh cinematic territory - it's Treasure of Sierra Madre in a frozen hell - but what's new is how compellingly the story is told. Hank appears to be the hero of the story but slowly he's consumed by random acts of violence, and we see that the money means more to him than anybody else. Jacob also shows that he's not a complete idiot, and we're never sure what his true agenda is outside of wanting to stay in an old, decrepit house where their father used to live. Lou is a drunk who teases Hank's manhood, and all he wants is some money to pay for late bills. Only Hank's wife remains the solely sensible one of the lot - she makes the decisions and tells Hank what course he (and the story) should take, and it always, ironically, results in calamity.
"A Simple Plan" is adapted from a 1993 novel by Scott B. Smith, who penned the script as well, but this story does not unfold under expected pretenses, namely countless twists and turns. Actually, the movie is not quite noir - you might call it a bleak drama that transcends noirish expectations with its full-blown character portrayals. There are still no heroes, but that's besides the point - these people are undone by the money that slowly reveals layers in their personalities. Amazingly, the money becomes less and less important to them as the film rolls along to a horrific finale in the woods, unveiled with unexpected, sudden shocks and a twist of fate unheard of in the movies in quite some time.
Bill Paxton is sheer perfection as Hank, flawlessly wavering between nervousness and anxiety. Is he as righteous as he thinks he is, or does he possess a creepily violent side? Billy Bob Thornton cuts another rich characterization with his dim-witted, stringy-haired, vague Jacob, who holds a grudge against his brother, Hank, and who dreams of going on a date with a simple gal. Bridget Fonda gives one of her finest acting jobs to date as the intelligent Sarah who wants more out of her bland existence. She expresses her rage in a touching, heartfelt speech where she expounds on unaffordable dinners and coupons acquired to save money.
"A Simple Plan" moves along at a controlled pace, involving us at every turn and allowing us to empathize with each of the characters and their motives. The script doesn't satirize nor condescend the characters. Instead, writer Smith makes them believable and congruent to their actions. This is not just the result of a stirring screenplay and weighty performances, but it is also due to Raimi's simple, unpretentious direction. And the snowy landscape and muffled sounds contribute greatly to the atmosphere - we really feel the literal coldness of the surroundings, as in "Fargo."
"A Simple Plan" may have an unsatisfying ending thematically whereas ambiguity could have resulted in richer, deeper parallels. That is surely a minor carp for a film that makes us realize the severe consequences that come with criminal actions - we must always pay a price no matter how strong we are.
Check out more reviews at JERRY AT THE MOVIES located at http://buffs.moviething.com/buffs/faust/
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