A Simple Plan
Paramount Pictures | Release Date: December 11, 1998
7.6
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 80 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
68
Mixed:
6
Negative:
6
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
7
Andys_ReviewsDec 17, 2012
All the performances are very good but I thought Billy Bob Thornton was truly excellent in this. He really nailed his performance of this slightly dim-witted man who is, at heart, quite lonely. Also worthy of note were Bill Paxton and BridgetAll the performances are very good but I thought Billy Bob Thornton was truly excellent in this. He really nailed his performance of this slightly dim-witted man who is, at heart, quite lonely. Also worthy of note were Bill Paxton and Bridget Fonda. Aside from the performances I did find this one didn… Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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7
DirigiblePulpJan 31, 2017
Tense and riveting. The ending is a bit too sudden and not fully formed. It makes sense but doesn't quite make you feel the inevitability and disaster of it all.

This and The Gift are very similar Raimi movies. They are thrillers, not horrorTense and riveting. The ending is a bit too sudden and not fully formed. It makes sense but doesn't quite make you feel the inevitability and disaster of it all.

This and The Gift are very similar Raimi movies. They are thrillers, not horror movies, within that same wheelhouse, and they both lack his personal touch. They both feel a bit like he goes too flat and safe. He doesn't quite figure out how to bring himself into the Hollywood thriller mold.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
AgentJohnsonFeb 26, 2011
This absolutely fantastic film is one of my all time favorites, with the added benefit of being watchable a seemingly endless number of times. From the opening words of wisdom from the main character,and the subsequent disintegration of theThis absolutely fantastic film is one of my all time favorites, with the added benefit of being watchable a seemingly endless number of times. From the opening words of wisdom from the main character,and the subsequent disintegration of the fabric of normal life for everyone involved, it plays out, in a quiet, understated fashion, a sordid tale that bombards your senses with its seriousness, believability and stunning awfulness.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
SpangleJul 4, 2015
Overall, this one's best feature is the acting. Bill Paxton and Billy Bob Thornton are awesome in this drama film brought to us by director Sam Raimi. While the direction and writing are both strong, the acting truly takes center stage inOverall, this one's best feature is the acting. Bill Paxton and Billy Bob Thornton are awesome in this drama film brought to us by director Sam Raimi. While the direction and writing are both strong, the acting truly takes center stage in this film. In addition, the drama between the characters is quite well done and it really takes the whole "if you found milions of dollars in the woods, what would you do" hypothetical question and runs with it, forming a captivating film around that premise. The cinematography is also quite good and really beautiful at times. While A Simple Plan can get a bit predictable and never truly sniffs greatness as a comprehensive unit, it still winds up being a good film that really pulls on your heart strings at times and makes you sad, angry, happy, etc, which is truly what film is meant to do. Come for the plot and director if those are what draw you to a film, but stay for Paxton and Thornton, who steal the show and use it as a showcase for their incredible talent.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
Compi24Nov 9, 2015
A riveting departure for director Sam Raimi, "A Simple Plan" is a harrowing cautionary tale featuring some stunning cinematography and one of Billy Bob Thornton's greatest performances.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
The3AcademySinsDec 2, 2019
A really memorable 90s thriller with a great cast, A Simple Plan is incredibly engrossing. I wasn't able to take my eyes off of the screen! The tension and complication of the "simple plan" only gets more and more heightened and convoluted asA really memorable 90s thriller with a great cast, A Simple Plan is incredibly engrossing. I wasn't able to take my eyes off of the screen! The tension and complication of the "simple plan" only gets more and more heightened and convoluted as the film goes on. The ending is pretty rushed, but other than that, this is a good watch that is very reminiscent of films like Fargo.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
DawdlingPoetNov 27, 2021
This film does feature quite a few cliches but its also really quite gripping at times and reasonably fast paced. The story isnt original but I think it did well to highlight how quickly people can change when large amounts of money suddenlyThis film does feature quite a few cliches but its also really quite gripping at times and reasonably fast paced. The story isnt original but I think it did well to highlight how quickly people can change when large amounts of money suddenly appear. There's one character who you may think has a strong sense of paranoia, although I could almost understand that considering the circumstances. Some of the details seem pretty unlikely but I found it overall a somewhat unsettling, thought provoking watch, which is by no means perfect. It tackles issues such as trust, power, greed and, as I say, paranoia (or is it? you'll have to watch the film to find out). It is perhaps a cheesy and predictable, although, however, one of the final scenes I found both quite upsetting and moving. Overall its an interesting enough watch to be worth seeing if you come across it, although I'm not sure I'd recommend going out of your way to see it as such.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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10
PatrickDunneAug 23, 2005
This is vertainly not a "feel good" film, but it certainlly is Raimi's best. His goal for Spiderman 2 was drama, but he already achieved it here.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
geewahJan 30, 2021
A slow-burning crime gone wrong caper that will have you squirming till the end.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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