A Simple Plan (1998)

Directed by: Sam Raimi | 121 minutes | drama, crime, thriller | Actors: Bill Paxton, Bridget Fonda, Billy Bob Thornton, Brent Briscoe, Jack Walsh, Chelcie Ross, Becky Ann Baker, Gary Cole, Bob Davis, Peter Syvertsen, Tom Carey, John Paxton, Marie Mathay, Paul Magers, Joan Steffand

‘A Simple Plan’ is a film based on the central theme money doesn’t make you happy, but it brings out the worst in someone. Jacob, Lou and Hank come across a plane in a snowy field that contains a bag containing $4.5 million. While Jacob and Lou, two simple and semi-alcoholic unemployed souls, see the money as a godsend, Hank is convinced that the police should be called in. However, an extra look at the money makes him decide to keep the money, but only under certain conditions. Firstly, he is the right person to keep the money, which is not an unwise choice given the mental capacities of the other two figures. Secondly, they will wait until spring to distribute the money, when the plane will be discovered because of the melting snow and they can find out if the money is mentioned in the media. Third, everyone should shut up.

The viewer soon realizes that this simple plan and these simple conditions are a lot more complicated than they seem. Jacob immediately informs the passing Sheriff Carl (Chelcie Ross) that something is wrong with a plane. Lou and Hank, in turn, can’t help but keep their wives in the dark. Hank’s wife Sarah (Bridget Fonda) in particular shows herself to be a crafty aunt. She tips Hank to put half a million back on the plane to clear up a possible suspicion of theft. However, the execution of this plan is completely ruined by an accidental witness and this causes unpleasant situations and a sharpening in the contradictions between the brothers Hank and Jacob. Meanwhile, Lou grows increasingly impatient and demands his share.

To play Lou out, Sarah devises a ruse, which ends up even worse than her first idea. Hank senses the situation is spiraling out of control when murder and manslaughter become the order of the day, the Sheriff recalls Jacob’s comment about the plane, the FBI steps in and the rightful owner of the money becomes involved. scene appears. Sarah tells him, however, that getting out by burning the money isn’t an option if he wants to keep her and their newborn child. It remains exciting until the surprising end whether the remaining finders and thieves get away with their plan.

In terms of tension and story ‘A Simple Plan’ is definitely recommended, unfortunately there are some flaws in the character development. Hank changes somewhat unbelievably from a good citizen into a cold mathematician. The biggest missed opportunity, however, is the character of Jacob, who shows himself a cunning fox several times during the development of the plot. Why is this development not further elaborated, but reversed completely? It would have been the ultimate denouement if it turned out that the stupid drunk was outsmarting everyone. And with Billy Bob Thornton, the makers really didn’t have to worry that this would have led to problems, the man plays more than excellent. Nevertheless, ‘A Simple Plan’ is a very solid thriller, which draws you into the central theme and forces you to think about what you would do in such a situation.