Reminiscent of the highly acclaimed film "Fargo" in style, execution and somewhat in plot, "A Simple Plan" is an engaging, dramatic thriller. Although occasional character motivations and plot developments spur the need for a dose of the old "suspension of disbelief" to fully accept and appreciate what happens, for the most part the film efficiently delivers the goods in an entertaining way.
Of course, that's as long as you don't mind the macabre approach the film takes. Like "Fargo" and the recent "A Perfect Murder," one's appreciation or enjoyment of the film lies heavily with not being bothered by murder, deception and greed being mingled with humor.
If you don't find that troublesome, you may just get a kick out of this wicked little picture. As in those other films, the "fun" for the audience comes from watching the principal characters scramble as their well-laid plans going awry, and that certainly happens here.
Unlike those films, however, this one takes a different approach by having the "average Joe" characters stumble into a situation that then immediately requires them to develop their contrived plan. Although audiences often like their protagonists in such films to be conniving, cold and calculating and certainly always in control (such as Michael Douglas in "A Perfect Murder"), it's not such a bad idea to take the opposite approach. Since these guys are seemingly more like everyday people (at least initially), it's somewhat easier to accept their predicament and behavior.
Of course, not everyone would keep the money for themselves, and here's where the first dose of suspension of disbelief (or S.O.D.) is needed. Although it's not terribly difficult to accept that Hank could be talked into doing just that, a more developed motive or coercion would have made it easier to accept. Not only that, but it also would have propelled the plot into something of a quicker pace earlier in the story.
That's not to say that the men's secretive plan doesn't go awry soon enough -- it's clear that the film's tempo is purposefully paced -- and it's not long before complications begin escalating out of control. It's here that a larger dose of S.O.D. is needed. Considering Hank's initial moral conflict with the plan, it's highly unlikely he'd finish off a potential witness after his brother has made a horrible, split-second judgement call.
Had there been more at stake -- such as his brother facing asylum commitment for another sudden act of violence or something similar to that -- such behavior on Hank's part would be easier to believe. Similarly, while his wife, Sarah, eventually explains her own dark motives, it's a bit difficult to buy into her easygoing acceptance of her husband's newfound homicidal tendencies.
If the film had fully adopted the approach that the characters -- seemingly decent everyday folk -- could be corrupted into becoming malevolent beings over the money -- something that partially happens, although Sarah's motivation seems errant at best -- that would have been one thing.
Although the film never delivers enough compelling evidence to make the characters and their motivations completely believable in that manner, a liberal application of S.O.D. alleviates some of those problems. While a few more logical and logistical problems show up later in the plot that will throw off the hypercritical, as long as you don't think too much or over analyze what's happening, you should be able to enjoy the proceedings.
Much of that can be credited to director Sam Raimi who's working from Scott B. Smith's adaption of his own novel. While known more for his cult hits such as "Army of Darkness" and "Darkman" and the wildly innovative camera work he usually deploys in them, Raimi has decided to forgo such visual theatrics in favor of a more old-fashioned suspense drama.
That's not to say that the film isn't visually impressive -- it still is -- but Raimi seems more concerned with establishing mood -- note the Edgar Allan Poe-like black birds that continuously watch over the characters -- as well as in creating interesting character dynamics.
To make that work, one obviously needs a decent cast and in that regard Raimi has hit the jackpot. Bill Paxton ("Twister," "Titanic") is well cast as the only conspirator with much of a moral conscience, and as his character finds himself ever deeper in more muck, Paxton plays him just right. Brent Briscoe ("U-Turn," "Sling Blade") is quite good and believable as the unemployed redneck whose greed serves as one of the film's many plot turning catalysts.
It's Billy Bob Thornton ("Sling Blade," "Armageddon"), however, who easily steals the show. Although some may think he's simply playing a variation of his character from "Sling Blade," his creation here is decidedly more complex.
Teetering between partial simpleton, a goofy sibling, and a person so distraught by inner turmoil that he devises a decidedly offbeat but creative way to free himself of such burdens, Thornton delivers a character that you can't ever quite put your finger on. Always interesting to watch, his character Jacob becomes ever more complex as the story wears on and is something of the "hot potato" as one is never sure what he might say or do to spin the plot into yet another direction.
Chelcie Ross and Gary Cole are decent in their supporting roles, although Bridget Fonda ("It Could Happen to You," "Jackie Brown"), however, isn't always believable in hers -- as earlier described. Nonetheless, a decently written and compelling speech that her character delivers near the end does explain and justify -- in hindsight -- her seemingly incongruous motivation and behavior.
That speech, and several other decently developed and delivered moments between the two brothers -- including a bit of dialogue from Thornton about his character's awareness of his own self-limitations -- are what set this film apart from most similar thrillers, and from most anything that Raimi has previously helmed. In essence, they add a human dimension back into a story that had initially ripped most of that from its characters, and it's a nice touch.
While not a perfect dark comedy thriller, the film certainly has its share of "fun" and macabre moments, as well as some decent performances. Although a few elements -- in both plot development and character behavior -- are a bit difficult to swallow at times, if you don't think too much about them you may just get a kick out of this picture. Despite those problems, we give "A Simple Plan" a 7 out of 10.
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