BEST LAID PLANS
Reviewed by: Brett Willis CONTRIBUTOR
FILM CREDITS Starring: Alessandro Nivola, Reese Witherspoon, Josh Brolin, Rocky Carroll, Michael G. Hagerty, Terrence Howard, Jamie Marsh | Director: Mike Barker | Producers: Alan Greenspan, Betsy Beers, Chris Moore, Sean Bailey, Nancy Paloian-Breznikar, Mike Newell | Screenwriter: Ted Griffin | Released By: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment This "film noir" offering is built on a series of "nothing is as it seems" plot twists. At first it appears to be a straight-up drama, but far from it.
Content Warnings: Profanity is extreme. There's some on-screen violence. There's one brief simulated sex scene with no clearly visible nudity, and an implied sex scene which is shown only as a man holding down a woman's wrist. All of the main characters have serious moral flaws and several of them are willing to break rules in order to solve their problems, so the film might be considered a study on relativism. Some of the content--such as a drug dealer from the 'hood justifying his activity by quoting at length from Adam Smith's "Wealth of Nations"--seems far-fetched. Such apparently out-of-place material may (or may not) be a "clue" to the viewer. Recommended only for mature viewers who enjoy this genre. Year of Release — 1999 [ If our reviews have been helpful to you, please prayerfully consider a donation to help pay the expenses for making this service available to you and your family! Donations are tax-deductible. ] 
"...an inept low-budget thriller ...about a double cross gone wrong, never musters the cleverness to let us imagine what the plan might have looked like had it actually gone right. ...slipshod attempts at intrigue. The title pun -- yes, it means exactly what you think -- is a fair indication of the movie's puerile deviousness. Grade: F" |
In the opening, Nick (Alessandro Nivola), is contacted by his desperate friend Bryce (Josh Brolin) who has a serious problem with a girl (Reese Witherspoon). And that's about all I can say without giving anything away. The acting is very good and the twists are entertaining, but there's nothing to warrant a second viewing.