Photo: Paramount Home Entertainment

In an article I wrote on Tuesday referring to Sam Raimi taking up the directorial duties on a Dennis Lehane novel I mentioned how I didn’t like A Simple Plan, Raimi’s film from 1998 telling the story of two backwoods brothers and a friend stumble upon a downed plane and $4.4 million. They decide to keep it, people begin dying and I would say it is safe to say no one ends up winning.

I hadn’t seen the film since 1998 and all I remember about it was that I thought it was boring. I was told in the comment section on my article that not only was it not boring, but it is a “masterpiece”, an “excellent flick” and “the finest movie of Raimi’s career.” I can agree with only one thing said there and that it is the finest movie of Raimi’s career, but that is only because the rest of his films are so bad. However, even though this is a better film than Raimi’s others I would much rather watch Army of Darkness or, God forbid, Spider-Man 2 than A Simple Plan ever again.

Yup, based on their love for the film I went ahead and watched it again. Guess what, bored to tears. I checked the running time at about 56 minutes, again at 1:10, again at 1:24 and I will admit the final half-hour actually goes by fairly quickly, but this just felt like nothing more than a Coen brothers film without that special something that makes a Coen film so great.

Part of my problem with A Simple Plan would have been Bill Paxton since I think he is on par with Keanu Reeves in terms of being a wooden actor. However, Paxton is really good in this flick, just as is Billy Bob Thornton, but it’s like I always say, a good performance does not make a good movie. Nah, my problem is partially with Paxton’s character since he is supposed to be the smart one of the bunch, and considering that includes his dimwitted brother and the town drunk I guess that isn’t saying much, but I got the impression the fact that he graduated from college meant something. It doesn’t.

I included this shot only because I think it looks pretty cool
Photo: Paramount Home Entertainment

There is one thing I found interesting, however, and I am not sure if this is a well known viewpoint on the film as I didn’t take the time to Google it, but Bridget Fonda came off as a rather impressive Lady Macbeth. I am sure this is something most people that have closely examined this film have come to believe/know, and it may actually be what writer Scott Smith intended when he wrote the novel of which he also adapted into the film’s screenplay. I thought the part was well written and just subtle enough not to beat people over the head.

This is actually the reason I love taking the advice of others and digging back into films I have never seen or have seen and didn’t fully enjoy. Sure, I didn’t enjoy A Simple Plan. It’s boring and tedious, but I think with all great movies you can find something to pull out of it to at least make it interesting. Anyway, what is better than trying to convince someone a movie is good, having them watch it and then having them love it? Even if they don’t love it, if they enjoy film conversation they are sure to have something to talk about.

Strangely enough, without even realizing it I also chose to watch my copy of The Ruins that just arrived the other day for review. For those of you that don’t know, both The Ruins and A Simple Plan are based on books written by Scott Smith and then adapted for the screen by Smith as well. Perhaps it was fate I was told to rewatch A Simple Plan the same day The Ruins arrived or just serious coincidence, but I thought it was pretty cool nonetheless.

Related post categories: Cinematic Revival, Editorials, Home Video News, Movie News, Reviews : A Simple Plan, Carter Smith, Sam Raimi, Scott Smith, The Ruins

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