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Sarah Connor's A SIMPLE PLAN review
SPOILER ALERT !!
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.
[END OF TRANSMISSION]
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+ Expand All
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I've been waiting forever for this flick to come out, but the date seems to be continuously postponed. One magazine said Nov. 6, then a website said Dec. 4, then the newspaper said tentatively Dec. 18. And after all this, the official SIMPLE PLAN website said December in New York and L.A., but January everywhere else. What gives?
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I read this book two years ago, and the theme grabbed me. Basically it says that evil is not about morality, but about opportunity and sheer desire. Pretty scary stuff, and I'm very interested in seeing Raimi do this one. Big fan of his, and hope to see more challenging work from him in the future. Sorry Evil Dead fans, but artists can't do the same thing over and over. I love the Evil Dead Trilogy as much as anybody, but, well, I'll pop it in if I want to see it again. It's not about seeing things you want to see, it's about being shown something that you never knew you wanted before. Personally, I'd like to see Raimi do a musical. Yes, you heard me. I know Phantom of the Opera is taken, but it sure would be interesting to see if Sam did it.
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... well almost. Last i saw it comes out this fri,Dec 4th. I have been known to be wrong...from time to time. Go Sam go! I also read the book and am anticipating this flick more than any other (except bug's life Prince of Egypt, thin red line, I see too many movies)
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God that's a twisted thought Rami doing a musical...so twisted it might work...I'd love to see him doing something like Miss Siagon, Vitenam's a subject he hasn't tackled yet, I think, correct me if I'm wrong....ohh I'
m getting goosebumps just thinking about it...Siagon is one of my favorite opera/musicals(yes it's more of an opera or operette then a musical...but that's another subject)...... -
I'm sorry, but have any of you guys seen Shallow Grave? The one where young Obi-Wan Kenobi says "Ok - go on then - lets tell them we've got a suitcase of money and nobody wants it". Check this film out. Not only is this a terrific dark comedy/horror movie but its also Scottish! I'm afraid the this new Sam Raimi film sounds like another remake.
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The story for A Simple Plan has been around since 1993. Shallow Grave came out afterwards. 'Nuff said.
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The reason that A Simple Plan and Shallow Grave (and Treasure of the Sierra Madre for that matter) seem similar is because they're all classic greed myth tales (as detailed by Joseph Campbell). These stories tell how people's lives are affected when greed overtakes them. These movies may have the same basic myth behind them, but that doesn't mean we can't appreciate them both.
I just hope they stayed true to the book, which was an excellent read. -
Clearly the MOST powerful film this year is "American History X"
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Well, I tell you what: This here's 'The Good Stuff'.
Don't you just love that first moment after the green preview screen, right after the studio logo...that very first image which
which expresses exactly what the tone of the yet-to-be-seen film is going to have. That moment when your curiosity is peaked, when you're completely vunerable and open to whatever it is that's going to be presented to you within the next few seconds. That moment when all eyes and ears in the audience are in tune with each other on that big ole wide screen up there. Well, hearing those vultures squawk as the white sky glared through those barren trees housing those black flags of death was one of those moments where I was completely captivated from that very second. Billy Bob's slow-witted character about the vultures: "Those things are always waitin on somethin to die so they can eat it, right?". If that's not a great opening to a trailer, I don't know what is. I was in the hands of someone else. Raimi. He shows us, especially with the score that's used in the trailer, that Mr. Hitchcock is alive and well, thank you very much.
I knew right then and there that this was going to be one of those films where the screenwriter is telling me, "I Have A Story To Tell". Raimi and the editors seem to have really hit the mark with this trailer. Clear inciting incident, clear character conflict, and great set-up of the film's premise. After that, and forgive the cliche, but this is the only way to describe it folks: it's a rollercoaster ride. This was one of those trailers which left you with a rocket up your ass wanting to go see THAT movie instead of the one you've just paid 8 bucks to come see. This puppy gave me chills, and Billy Bob...sir, I'd be inclined to nominate you for an Oscar just based on what I saw you do in this preview. This trailer is why I make sure to show up early. Hope you're lucky enough to catch it yourselves. Thanks, ya'll...
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