Ok folks, it's time to rant a bit. Ok, here we have the test screening results from Thursday night's test screening of A SIMPLE PLAN, Sam Raimi's latest film. I received over 20 reviews from the screening, with only one negative (last review on the page). However, all the positive reviews state that even though they love the film, it will not succeed because well the film is too smart. Apparently according to the first reviewer here tonight, Birdie Num Num, the suits and Raimi were going after it a bit last night. Fuck the suits. Listen to the reviews here from true film fans. The sort of people that see movies 5 or 6 times, because they have the time, disposable income and love for the film. This is the same exact crap I heard about L.A. CONFIDENTIAL and it pisses me off. Hire an advertising team that understands the film and Raimi. Push the film, make the audience see a quality film, stand beside your film, like your own children as they take their first teeny steps. Don't leave their side till the film can run on it's own. DO NOT SLICE AND DICE THE FILM. Give Raimi the control on this one. The film sounds like it's a hair's breath away from being nearly perfection. Lansing, stick by your director on this one. Don't let him down. Here are the reviews, the first is from Birdie Num Num, then Hallenbeck, and so on... The first two have no spoilers...
Just came back from the Paramount lot, where I saw a NRG (boo, hiss) research screening of Sam Raimi's latest opus "A Simple Plan". I know an earlier cut was reviewed on your site back in May, so I'm not going to waste space with a synopsis. Suffice to say it was a very good film -- maybe not Raimi's best (I still have a soft spot for "Evil Dead 2"), but certainly way up there and definitely, dare I say it, his most mature. We've all known for years what a master visual stylist Raimi is -- what's most admirable here is his restraint. He saves the visual razzle-dazzle for key moments and the effect is powerful (there is one particular on-screen killing involving a shotgun and a flying body that is breathtaking and truly shocking). But before I get further into the film, let me give you a little description of the scene on the lot at Paramount....
As per usual, my friend and I were able to bypass the NRG nazis (they made us sign a release promising not to disseminate any reviews to internet sites -- obviously you're getting on their nerves -- well tough titty this time, boys....). I used my ususal fake identity. "Are you or anyone you know involved in the entertainment industry?" they asked. "Oh no... I'm a GRAD student!" (Yeah, right). Really, these NRG trolls are idiots. I must have overheard 50 different conversations from people in line for the screening talking about their screenplays, agents, etc. All that was missing was a cell-phone brigade.
Anyway, even though we arrived an hour early and the line was relatively short, they weren't letting any men have tickets because they wanted a high female demographic for the screening. This meant all sorts of film-geek single-guy types (myself included) were forced to wait while girl after girl waltzed through unobstructed (in one particularly annoying sortie, one girl walked through with six guys and the guys didn't get stopped at all -- sheesh, if I'd known it would be like this, I would have brought a date. Oh well.). Like, what did NRG expect? They described the film on their flier as a taut action thriller. Not exactly a chick flick. Anyway, eventually I got in and had to listen to their patronizing b.s. ("What you are about to see is what we in the industry like to call a 'work print'" and so forth... do they think people are retarded or something?). At the last minute, saw Sherry Lansing and Danny Elfman enter the theatre (not together). Guess Danny is doing the music score (the music in this cut seemed like temp track and Danny didn't get a credit on the main titles -- remember you heard the Elfman scoop here first).
Flash forward to immediately after the screening. Raimi was pacing around extremely nervously and seemed to have some heated words with the Paramount executives (besides Lansing, I also spotted Michelle Manning and big-wig Jonathan Dolgen, who bears an amazing resemblance to the monster in the Howard Hawks version of "The Thing", but I digress....). He has no reason to be nervous. He has made a terrific, risky, ballsy movie. I expect the suits at Paramount might want to tamper with his cut, particularly the ending, which is truly unexpected, downbeat and shocking, but they'd be idiots to do so. Raimi has taken a relatively standard "Treasure of Sierra Madre"-style morality-tale type genre piece and made it into an original work with his distinctive eye and twisted sense of humor. The movie is never camp or tongue-in-cheek and, very importantly, unlike his friends the Coen Bros., he never condescends to his characters. Rather, he finds the humor in extreme situations and makes those situations that much more powerful. Scene after scene in this movie is bristling with tension -- the good old fashioned kind. The characters seem like ready-made types at the beginning, but you never know what they might do next, which keeps you on your toes.
A wise man once said that good directing is 90% casting -- Raimi has done a great job of that here and gets the most out of his actors (particularly Billy Bob, who manages to create a character that is even more far-out than his cameo in "U-Turn" but manages to give him great humanity, and Bridget Fonda, who plays a more refined, crafty, homespun version of her conniving Melanie from "Jackie Brown"). Raimi has never exhibited this much of a subtle, human touch before and it is a beautiful thing to see. He keeps things fresh and loose, the better with which to pull the rug out from under the audience.
Overall, this is still an old-fashioned genre piece, very much like a good unassuming '70s movie, but it's expertly done and it's hard to imagine any other director (particularly John Dahl, who was attached to this project when it was set-up at the Home Shopping Network.... oops, I mean Savoy Pictures) doing as good a job with it as he's done here. The movie isn't going to knock anyone's socks off or be a blockbuster, but I doubt it was ever intended to. It's a good solid triple. If even 1/10th of the movies Hollywood cranked out were made with this level of craft, care, intelligence and expertise, we'd all be having a lot better time at the multiplexes.
MEMO TO PARAMOUNT: Please don't put this through the sausage mill. Edgy is good, particularly in a thriller. A morality tale is by nature going to involve some disturbing, amoral goings-on. You have a good movie here -- don't screw it up.
I'm out, Harry. Sorry if this was long-winded, but I really liked this movie and think the word should get out to keep it from being watered down. As a Raimi fan, I figured you'd appreciate the tip.
signed,
Birdie Num-Num
Now it's time for Hallenbeck's review, and he really liked this film. By all means stick to your man Paramount, my god you made a movie that made Hallenbeck cry out of emotional involvement. Do you realize how amazing that is? The most cold hearted serial killer of film critics ever, and you bring the beast to tears? Stick by your winner.
Sam Raimi's A Simple Plan is a subtle, intimate little movie that is a far departure from his previous efforts. If you didn't see the man's name up on the screen you'd never guess that the man who directed the Evil Dead Trilogy and Quick and the Dead directed this flick. Now, that's not to say the movie ain't all that good. Quite the opposite. It is, in fact, one helluva good little flick. Let me explain why I, Joe Hallenbeck, thinks this movie is very good, as opposed the aforementioned movie, THE TRUMAN SHOW (both were done by Paramount. Go Fig!)
The Plot - rather simplistic and not nearly as original as Truman, but in my opinion, a hell of a lot more enjoyable. It's basically one of those "What-do-you-do-when-you-and -your-buddies-find-a-sack-full-of-money?" situations. It's been done many times before(sometimes good...sometimes not so good). The plot is nothing exceptional. It's not what drives the story. What drives the story are the characters.
The Characters(ACTORS):
Bill Paxton - He's a great supporting actor, but he has never been a leading man in my eyes...that is, until now. He does a great job of carrying this movie. He's the younger, slightly more successful(he works in a grain store. That's about as successful as he gets) brother with some brains in his head. Billy-boy manages to be the hero and the anti-hero all at once. The shit he goes through shouldn't be wished upon your worst enemy. His character's motives are all over the map, yet they all make sense as they occur. I put myself in his shoes and found that his actions matched mine if I were placed in a similiar situations. By the end of the movie, I couldn't help but shed a tear for what this man has endured. The funny thing is, he made it all happen. He's the ultimate tragic hero(right behind Oedipus).
Billy Bob Thorton - First off, I want to state on the record that Sling Blade is a cliched, highly predictable piece o'crap. I found nothing mind blowing about it at all(except for John Ritter's hair). It was long, boring, and oh-so predictable. I thought Billy Bob as Karl Childers was good, but nothing extraordinary. So, going into A Simple Plan, I wasn't expecting anything that amazing. Once again, I was wrong. Playing the dumber than dog shit older brother, Billy Bob manages to give the performance of his career. He was funny(incredibly funny a few times), likable, and simpathetic(as well as pathetic). I fell in love with his simple guy character. I really felt for the SOB. When he's talking about his so-called High School sweetheart, I found my eyes leaking some clear liquid. Can you believe it? -- Me...CRYING! It's a miracle. I have a heart!!! I really dug this guy and Billy Bob's performance. I'm willing to go out on a limb and say he might just get nominated for this role.
Bridget Fonda - She does a great job as Paxton's pregnant, smart wife. Her "look into the future" scene is priceless. When she tells Paxton what lies ahead in their future I found myself laughing and feeling sorry for them simultaneously. She may get a Supporting Nom herself.
Brent Briscoe(I think) - He plays Billy Bob's drunk, almost-as-dumb-as-dog-shit, out-of-work buddy. He's the third guy in the party that finds the loot. He's scary and incredibly likable all at once. You feel for the guy, but you hate him at the same time because of his stupidity.
The Music - appropriately temp-tracked by Shawshank, Fugitive, Copycat and others. I can't wait to hear Danny's score(who sat right behind me!).
The Director - Mr. Raimi is known for his chaotic, almost crazed camera movements. His zoom in dolly shots and awesome steady cam work can't be matched. He managed to make a damn quick draw contest look more awesome than a battle in Braveheart. The funny thing is, with this movie, the man doesn't use any of his trademark camera tricks. This is a very subtle, and often times, slow, plodding little movie. It was as if Robert Benton or Taylor Hackford directed it. Raimi has matured. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? You be the judge. Personally, I'm impressed he can do both kinds of filmmaking. He can make great, intimate character pieces like this or insane, cartoony pieces like Army of Darkness. Most directors can't even do one kind of filmmaking and this Dude can do both...not only that, but he's great at both of them! The look of this movie is surreal and almost hypnotic at times. Snow hasn't looked this cool since Fargo. BTW, Mr. Raimi...where's Bruce's cameo?
The Writing - I'm an ass for not knowing this, but the writer's last name escapes me. I believe his first is Steven...I hope. In any case, I must admit this is one well-written flick. The plot doesn't drive the movie...the characters do. For some reason, I want to compare this flick to another snow covered, small town flick called Nobody's Fool. Maybe it's the look or the feel of the movie that reminds me of Robert Benton's little gem. If I were to describe how A Simple Plan is I guess I would say cross Fargo with Nobody's Fool and you have a good idea what it's like. The dialogue is crisp and sharp. The characters are well drawn. And the climax...
The Climax - funny, exciting, gripping, and gut wrenching all at once. When everything is all said and done, I found myself a bit shocked...I like that. The inevitable was going to occur, but when it finally does your jaw drops to the floor. The thing that made this movie so good is it's climax and it's deneumont. This movie has a great moral at it's core. It's rare to see a movie like that nowadays. A mighty valuable lesson is learned here and it's a lesson that not only the main characters learn, but WE, the audience, learn as well. It's not the happiest of endings, but it sure felt great to see a movie like this end that way.
Audience Reaction - Most didn't care for the flick. It's not an audience kind of movie. It will most likely bomb at the BO, but hopefully it'll get some critical acclaim and pick a few accolades on it's way to video.
This flick has a lot in common with another movie I really enjoyed this year...Very Bad Things. Both are about trust and keeping secrets. They're both funny and violent at the same time. But most importantly, they have characters you can identify with. You're able to put yourself in their size 9's and try to figure out what you would do in the same situation. God forbid you should do that in a movie.
Send your tirades to:
hallenbeck69@hotmail.com
T.T.F.N.,
Joe Hallenbeck
This time Incinerator steps up to the plate with his fiery praise for A SIMPLE PLAN, he does have spoilers so watch out, you may want to read lightly. He doesn't name anyone dying, but he does describle a couple of early twists. Here he comes...
Its the Incinerator again. I just saw a test screening for Sam Raimi's A Simple Plan. I arrived at Paramount Studios with my special ladyfriend of the week and proceeded into the screening with some other AICN spies. Danny Elfman was there so I assumed the entire score was finished. It was a nice underscore and It helped set the tone for the film. The players - Bill Paxton as an accountant at a local feed mill. Billy Bob Thornton as Paxton's ne'er- do-well brother. Brent Briscoe as Lou, Thornton's best friend. Bridget Fonda as Paxton's wife. I won't use character names as they are all but useless in a simple movie review.
Paxton, surprisingly good as the intelligent older brother. Thornton- great as the slow-minded, younger brother who is funny just to look at. He isn't like Lenny from Of Mice & Men slow, but he's his own unique brand of character.
That's what I love about this movie, full of unique characters who don't always act in predictable ways and who change throughout the film. We learn who they are and really sympathize with them. Briscoe - I have never seen this guy before, but apparently he had bit parts in Sling Blade & U-Turn. He does a good job of changing from what could have been a stereotypical redneck character into a real man who has needs and problems.
Fonda - I liked her a lot in this. She has a great character and does a good job of playing her. I thought she would be the typical housefrau, but she is actually indirectly responsible for the majority of the complexities that manage to screw up Paxton's simple plan.
PLOT SPOILERS PLOT SPOILERS PLOT SPOILERS PLOT SPOILERS PLOT SPOILERS PLOT SPOILERS PLOT SPOILERS PLOT SPOILERS PLOT SPOILERS PLOT SPOILERS PLOT SPOILERS PLOT SPOILERS PLOT SPOILERS PLOT SPOILERS
The 3 guys are out visiting the grave of Paxton & Thornton's parents. On the way back, they almost wreck, and while tromping through the woods looking for their dog, stumble across a plane that had crashed in the woods. One of the cooler images in the movie is this particular forest. It is covered in snow and full of old dead trees. It is also "guarded" by a group of crows that seem to make it all the more forbidding. In the plane is $ 4.4 million in cash. The 3 decide to let Paxton keep the money essentially because he says he'll call the cops if they don't do things his way. They even had to convince him to go along with keeping the money because he's such a straight arrow do-gooder. They go to their homes and when Paxton tells his wife of what happened, she takes an interest and starts contributing her two cents to the plan. She convinces Paxton to take a half million back to the plane so no one will come looking for the rest. As this happens, a local farmer witnesses this occurrence and one of the brothers kills him to keep him from telling anyone else. They then have to deal with disposing of the body. Briscoe learns of the murder and tries to use it as leverage to get his share of the money immediately. We see many twists and snowballing complications to the once simple plan. We also learn about the characters involved and just what kind of people they are and what they are capable of. Gary Cole (of American Gothic & In the Line of Fire) plays a man who may or may not be an FBI agent working the case of the missing plane. We don't find out the truth until the end and we are kept in suspense and are constantly questioning things until then. I don't want to say anymore for fear of spoiling any important plot points.
END OF PLOT SPOILERS END OF PLOT SPOILERS END OF PLOT SPOILERS END OF PLOT SPOILERS END OF PLOT SPOILERS END OF PLOT SPOILERS END OF PLOT SPOILERS END OF PLOT SPOILERS
This is a Very Good movie. character-driven writing, superb acting and a really nice isolated setting. Many people will compare this to Fargo. The similarities are on the surface at best. They are very different films and I happened to enjoy both for different reasons. This film makes me like Billy Bob even more than before. I recommend this film to everyone. Some may find the pace a little slow, but I think it moved just right according to the story & the characters.
Until tomorow (wink, wink, nudge, nudge),
Incinerator
Then here's GOLDFINGER's praise of the film....
Goldfinger here.
Just got back from a test screening at Paramount Studios. The film: A SIMPLE PLAN. Starring Bill Paxton, Billy Bob Thorton, and Bridget Fonda, this film was directed by Sam Raimi. But don't let that fool you. This is _not_ your typical Raimi film. In fact, it's like nothing I'd ever expect from the man.
In short, this film rocked. It was the best drama I've seen all year. The acting was very good, the story captivating, and the timing, well, that seemed to be the only problem. Since this isn't your typical slam-bam-thank-you-Sam Raimi film, it seems a bit slow. But if they tighten it up a bit, perfect.
I'm sure Joe Hallenbeck (my comerade-in-arms) has covered most of the bases (plot, actors, etc.), so I'll leave it at that. Basically, this is a great film, but one which has very little box office appeal. Nonetheless, I tip Oddjob's hat to you, Sam Raimi, on a wonderful film with a truly O'Henry-esque ending.
Oh yeah. Danny Elfman was there, which I guess confirms any questions anyone has had regarding what his next project would be. (Especially considering SUPERMAN is down for the count....)
Until next time,
Goldfinger
Then finally we have Wesson here, that brings in the lone detracting vote amongst all the positive buzz, but I believe in giving both sides so here is the love voice of the yang to the previous views of yin...
Call me "Wesson". I've never written you before.
Went to a test screening of A SIMPLE PLAN tonight at Paramount. It stars Bill Paxton and Billy Bob Thornton and was directed by Sam Raimi. It was basically trying to combine FARGO and SHALLOW GRAVE with muddled, mediocre results. It asks one of those INDECENT PROPOSAL "What if?" questions: What if, in the woods with your brother and his friend, you found $4.4 million in cash?
Paxton and Thornton are the good-natured brothers in a snow-covered town; Paxton is college educated while Billy Bob is dumb as a post. The trio stumble in the snowy woods across a crashed prop plane with a dead pilot and the money. Planning to keep it, the rest is a series of dark, tragic, and sometimes funny (a la FARGO) spoilers in their plan. It turns deadly, and Paxton & friends get caught up in the web of misdeeds.
We're supposed to feel the building suspense ("Will they succeed? Won't they?") but there are hardly any twists and turns. The darkness and humor work well, but the plot is lacking since that's what's supposed to be carrying the film. The characters are much less interesting than in FARGO, and Billy Bob is the only one really brought to life. Bridget Fonda is good as Paxton's scheming wife, but I was left at the end feeling like I hadn't been through anything that compelling or different. While overall it was put together adequately, Billy Bob is the only thing to lift this from the pit of mediocrity.
