For me I think so far this year, A SIMPLE PLAN is the most powerful film I've seen. However, I must preface that with the following. I have not seen LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL (everytime I've tried, It's been sold out), A CIVIL ACTION, THE THIN RED LINE or THE PRINCE OF EGYPT. Sooo, this year is very strong for me, and we still have some good ones to come. Most of the country still hasn't seen GODS AND MONSTERS... which seems amazing to me, since I saw that one waaaaay back in January of last year at Sundance. So far I've given you the typical male look at A SIMPLE PLAN, well now we see what a lady that gets kicks blowing up buildings thinks. Given, she is always out to spoil the future as she knows it, beware, she doesn't give the KEY events away, but she does give some away. Tread softly and retreat if you feel you're in too deep. She loves it...
SAM'S SIMPLE PLAN
Harry...
Being the mother of a troubled teen who will one day lead a resistance group into battle in The War Against The Machines isn't a walk in the park. It also doesn't help being incarcerated in a maximum security mental institution, but I try to keep a positive attitude about the whole thing. One might think it puts a serious crimp in movie watching for me. Since my first review, the security staff has decided to not take any more chances and is keeping me locked my cell twenty-four/seven. If not for a kindly orderly who sneaks videotapes to me, my situation would surely be grave.
The other day he pushes a bootleg copy of Sam Raimi's latest film, A SIMPLE PLAN, through the food slot in my door. Since I'm known for biting off the fingers of orderlies, he didn't keep his hand there for very long. I was grateful, though, and popped it in the VCR right away.
Let me start by saying that there's always been a special place in my heart for director Sam Raimi. Ever since I caught a midnight show of EVIL DEAD 2, I've been hooked on the guy. Trying explaining to people that something called EVIL DEAD 2 is actually a great film, though. For years I've been hoping that he would make a film that people couldn't quickly dismiss just because characters in it turn into zombies and vomit green blood. Looking at Sam's work, it's always been obvious to me that he could easily pull off non-genre material if only given the chance. A SIMPLE PLAN is that chance, and Sam has definitely come through.
The first time someone told me about it and Sam's involvement, for some reason I wasn't excited. Even when I got the video I wasn't jumping up and down. I guess it's because I've been very disappointed in Sam lately. He's got so much potential that year after year goes to waste. I guess I was also afraid that he was going to go out of his way to make the most boring film he possible could just to distance himself from the horror films. I'm speaking of course about Ron Howard Syndrome... the belief that dull equals serious.
The first thing that struck me about the film was just how muted it is... quiet and subtle. It's damn-near black & white, it's so bleak. In the first scene we meet Bill Paxton's character, Hank, who works at a feed and farm store. In the close-ups, you can see the age on Paxton's face. He's not a movie star here... he's a real guy. We see his small town and meet the people in his life. Bidget Fonda plays his pregnant wife, Sarah, in one of the best roles she's ever had. Billy Bob Thornton plays his backwards brother, Jacob. I didn't think that Thornton would ever be able to top or escape his SLING BLADE work, but manages here to do so effortlessly. Jacob's a complex character without the easy Karl Childers gimmicks, which more than redeems him in my eyes after the Armageddon incident. Along with their friend Lou, who's an unemployed drunk in a sour marriage, the group seems to have been left behind by time. Like the film, their lives are full of ghosts and uncertain.
One morning Hank, Jacob and Lou stumble across a crashed plane in the woods. Hank goes inside and finds almost five millions dollars in a duffle bag. At first, Hank wants to turn the money in, but is swayed by Lou, who calls the situation "the American dream in a duffle bag." Hank reluctantly agrees providing that it's he who holds the money while they wait for any sign in the news about the crash.
A lot happens after this. Everything that can go wrong does. Sarah becomes paranoid and is constantly coming up with new plans for she and her husband to protect themselves in the event of trouble. As mentioned above, this is Fonda at her very best. If she doesn't get a Best Supporting Actress Nomination out of this, something's wrong. Lou tries to get at his share as he watches his life slowly fall apart because of bad debts. Hank and Jacob are brought together by the situation as they confront feelings about each other and their past. Hank learns of Jacob's quiet resentment that their father used the bulk of the money from the farm to pay for Hank's college. As a result, the farm which was promised to Jacob, was taken by the bank and now sits empty and broken. They also share their feelings about the nature of their father's death, which they both have very different views about. This is the best stuff about the film... these two guys and their sad, complex relationship. Billy Bob should not only be nominated for his work here, but he should win.
Act three of the film involves an FBI agent played by Gary Cole (I loved him as Mike Brady in the recent BRADY BUNCH movies), who comes into town looking for the plane. Sarah is skeptical about the agent's motives and believes that he's after the money. I can't say what happens at the end when the agent and Hank and Jacob go out to the plane together. I wouldn't dare spoil it. I will, however, say that it's a powerful scene that will haunt and stick with you.
To sum it up, A SIMPLE PLAN is not just a great Sam Raimi film... it's a great film. The funny thing is, I bet Sam had no idea he was making such a great film. He probably thought, "well, this should be interesting, at least." I would even go so far as to say that it's one of the best of the decade.
Well... it's almost medication time so I better cut this short. When the film comes out, judge for yourself. As I'm sure I've made more than clear, I'm a huge advocate of this film. So huge that I'd probably take a bullet for Sam... which isn't a big deal for me but will hopefully let Sam sleep better.
-- Sarah Connor, out.
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