Ein einfacher Plan (1998)

Ein einfacher Plan: Directed by Sam Raimi. With Bill Paxton, Bridget Fonda, Billy Bob Thornton, Brent Briscoe. Three blue-collar acquaintances come across millions of dollars in lost cash and make a plan to keep their find from the authorities, but it isn’t long before complications and mistrust weave their way into the plan.

“This is not the film to see if youu0026#39;re looking for a feel-good Hollywood anesthetic to cope with the end of the holiday season. If, however, you wish to experience a great film, then I highly recommend *A Simple Plan*. Its disturbing twist on the American dream may be too difficult for some–especially the very dark ending–but that is part of what makes the film such quality fare. Scott B. Smithu0026#39;s screenplay is tight and flawless. Sam Raimiu0026#39;s inspired direction may finally reveal to the rest of the film industry what fans of the Evil Dead trilogy have known for years: that, though his tongue is often firmly in his cheek, Raimi is a fine and grossly underrated filmmaker. Especially impressive is the way he and cinematographer Alar Kivilo approach the snow-covered landscapes. There is an immensity to the frozen wastelands of the filmu0026#39;s crucial scenes that is almost worthy of David Lean. Also commendable is Raimiu0026#39;s skillful use of animals (among them crows and foxes) for symbolic purposes.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eBut the cast, not to be outdone by their crew, is equally notable. Billy Bob Thornton gives his best performance to date, surpassing even his award-winning role in *Sling Blade*. Bill Paxton is phenomenal as a straight-laced-family-man- turned sociopath, and Bridget Fondau0026#39;s convincing portrayal of Paxtonu0026#39;s determined wife complements him well.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAudiences at the screening I saw were commenting on the filmu0026#39;s similarities to *Fargo* as they exited the theater, and seemed to belittle *A Simple Plan* for its lack of u0026quot;originality.u0026quot; Granted, *A Simple Plan* is not entirely original. There are indeed vague shadows of *Fargo*, as well as *Macbeth* and Robert Frost, among others. But there is no such thing as an entirely original work, as great art is made by standing on the shoulders of giants. Make no mistake, this is NOT a cheap replay of *Fargo*. The differences are too numerous to note here, but suffice it to say that *A Simple Plan* is a great work in its own right, and deserves to be appreciated as such.”