A Simple Plan (1998)

When three blue collar acquaintances come across millions of dollars in lost cash they make a plan to keep their find from the authorities but find complications and mistrust weaving its way into their plan.

Director:

Sam Raimi

Writers:

Scott B. Smith (novel), Scott B. Smith (screenplay)

Stars:

Bill Paxton, Billy Bob Thornton, Bridget Fonda

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 17 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bill Paxton	...	Hank
Bridget Fonda	...	Sarah
Billy Bob Thornton	...	Jacob
Brent Briscoe	...	Lou
Jack Walsh	...	Tom Butler
Chelcie Ross	...	Carl
Becky Ann Baker	...	Nancy Chambers
Gary Cole	...	Baxter
Bob Davis	...	FBI Agent Renkins
Peter Syvertsen	...	FBI Agent Freemont
Tom Carey	...	Dwight Stephanson
John Paxton	...	Mr. Schmitt
Marie Mathay	...	News Reporter
Paul Magers	...	Anchorman
Joan Steffand	...	Anchorwoman

Storyline

Three diverse characters, for the most part intellectually challenged, find a deserted plane with a bag full of millions of dollars inside. They devise a simple plan to keep the money if no-one claims it. Ofcourse, nothing turns out simple...

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Plot Keywords:

Stolen Money | Secret | Fbi Agent | Impersonating A Police Officer | Plane Wreck | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes good people do evil things.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and language

Details

Country:

France UK Germany USA Japan

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 December 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Thousand Miles

Filming Locations:

Ashland, Wisconsin, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$17,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£139,087 (UK) (21 May 1999)

Gross:

£506,625 (UK) (11 June 1999)

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Mutual Film Company, Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was the last film to be produced by the now defunct, short lived independent production company, Savoy Pictures. Originally in 1996, Savoy Pictures filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, however "A Simple Plan" which was originally to be produced solely by Savoy was forced to negotiate co-production deals with other motion picture studios, one being Paramount which picked up the film for a co-production and distribution.

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Goofs

Vacant farmhouse has little snow on roof.

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Quotes

Jacob Mitchell: Do you ever feel evil?

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Connections

Referenced in The Nostalgia Critic: Top 11 Dumbest Spiderman Moments (2011)
referenced among Sam Raimi's good films

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Soundtracks

"Preachin' the Blues"
Written by Jimmie Wood & J.J. Holiday
Performed by Imperial Crowns
Courtesy of Strictly Hits Music & J J Holiday Music

User Reviews

At what cost?

Say what you will about him, like him or hate him, you gotta admit that Raimi knows the craft. Here, he puts Hitchcock's methods to good use, decades after the master died, and creates amounts of suspense that honor his memory. The tension is thick and impossible to ignore. This is exciting and engaging, and it's completely realistic, down to earth and human, to boot. The pace is spot-on, this never outruns the viewer, in spite of being fast and tight, and so much of the relationships and past being told to us through hints, the behaviour and how situations evolve. More thrillers should be like this. This also qualifies as noir and drama. The acting is beyond reproach, there's not a single performance that is lacking, and I'd say Paxton does pretty good in a lead role. Kudos to Thornton for not turning his part into a caricature. The writing is excellent. I have not read the novel, but I would like to do so. I understand that this isn't entirely as brutal as the book, though it is disturbing, and, at times, violent. The cinematography and editing are incredible. There is some strong language in this. The story is magnificent, and develops so well throughout. Thank you, Sam, for making an effort, for not just going for the lowest common denominator, and for understanding that it was the build-up - not purely the plot twist at the end - that made Alfred, and his films, such treasure. The DVD holds a theatrical trailer. I recommend this to any fan of the director and/or anyone else who helped create it. 8/10