A Simple Plan (1998)


“If this guy’s a dope dealer, then… like we’re talking about, then that means we’re like Robin Hood. ” – Jacob

Number of Times Seen – 2 (24 Aug 2000 and 20 Apr 2017)

Brief Synopsis – While on a hunting trip, three friends come across the wreckage of a plane that is filled with cash and must decide what to do with it.

My Take on it – This is such a fun film to watch because it has such a great story that is interesting to watch unfold.

It shows how easily good intentions and ideas can get out of hand and quickly snowball into events that one probably wouldn’t even think could happen.

The cast of this film is excellent with Bill Paxton, Billy Bob Thornton, Bridget Fonda, Gary Cole and Chelcie Ross all giving great performances.

Paxton clearly stands out here because he once again was able to show us with this film how easily he can break free from his usual supporting role status and be solid as the lead actor.  I wouldn’t be surprised if this role was one of the reasons that he was eventually cast as the lead in the TV show Big Love a few years later.

It is so easily to identify with the characters here because they are all normal working class people who are down to Earth and could conceivably be seen as friends or acquaintances of just about any of us.

The kind of situation that happens is believable and we can easily imagine something like that happening.

Bottom Line – Love the way this story unfolds because it shows how easily good intentions and ideas can snowball out of control.  Great cast led by Paxton who once again was able to break free of his supporting actor personage and take the lead here. It is so easy to identify with the characters here because they are seem so normal and down to Earth and could conceivably be seen as people we could know who get into such a situation. Recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – A scene with Billy Bob Thornton and Bill Paxton was lost by Northwest Airlines in January 1998 while in transit from Minnesota to Los Angeles. The missing scene had been shot in Minnesota. The film was insured, and the missing scene was re-shot. (From IMDB)

Rating – Globe Worthy

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4 thoughts on “A Simple Plan (1998)

  1. Excellent film. I had read the book first – and the movie did it justice. Not always the case. A snaky crime thriller chock full of psychological undertones – not the least of which is doled out by a terrific Bridget Fonda as a sort of Lady Macbeth – urging her husband to do more and more dastardly things to hang onto the money which fell from the skies (literally) into their collective laps (figuratively). Just thinking of Ms. Fonda makes her absence from the screen make me pine for her even more. Between this film and Single White Female and Singles, she seemed to be on a fats and steady track to stardom. Where’d she go? But back to the Simple Plan – a terrific set up – a slow burn plotline – and a satisfying (if tough) payoff – and this one is a definite keeper. Assume you may go back for a third helping.

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