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A Simple Plan
A Simple Plan
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A Simple Plan

A Simple Plan

1998
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
2h 1m
Captivated by the lure of sudden wealth, the quiet rural lives of two brothers (Paxton, Thornton) erupt into conflicts of greed, paranoia and distrust when over four million dollars in cash is discovered at the remote site of a downed small airplane. (Paramount Pictures)

Directed by:

Sam Raimi

Screenwriter:

Scott B. Smith

Starring:

Billy Bob Thornton, Bill Paxton, Bridget Fonda, Chelcie Ross, Brent Briscoe, Gary Cole, Jack Walsh, Becky Ann Baker, Bob Davis, John Paxton, Tom Carey, Peter Syvertsen

Genres:

Drama, Suspense/Thriller, Crime

Countries:

France, Germany, Japan, UK, USA

Language:

English
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A Simple Plan

1998
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
2h 1m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 61.32% from 2131 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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paxtonPaxton
Rated 09 Apr 2014
70
65th
What is Bill Paxton's life like? Everything is always falling apart around him. If it's not aliens or tornadoes, it's his neighbors or his family. The most serene the man has ever been is when he's listening to a story about the deaths of over a thousand people on a boat.
Rated 09 Apr 2014
dukeDuke
Rated 24 Jul 2008
75
44th
It's a good, thrilling film until to the last scene by the plane then it turns up to be a dramatic one. The plot does not seem to be much promising but with the good acting and Sam Raimi's directing it is worth seeing. And Billy Bob Thornton is excellent once again. note to myself: If a man with a shotgun enters your kitchen in the middle of the night don't try to shoot him... or just don't miss. And by the way if you find 4 mil. dollars don't tell it to your wife.
Rated 24 Jul 2008
fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 19 Nov 2009
8
78th
I lost interest after the 1st act because of how they stretched the story out, rather uninteresting and predictable, but it redeemed itself towards the end (loved the ending). I really liked Paxton here, the performances carry this film, especially Thornton, who's excellent and hilarious at times. An effective and ingenious thriller, it also features one of funniest death scenes ever, one word: shotgun...
Rated 19 Nov 2009
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 12 Dec 2006
69
23rd
I really wanted to like this more, but I can't stand characters who do stupid things, and all of the film's tension revolves around bad decision after bad decision. That aside, it is a pretty good movie.
Rated 12 Dec 2006
anilscnanilscn
Rated 15 Oct 2021
45
38th
dünyada olabilecek tüm mantık hatalarını kendinde toplamış bir film. eğlendim mi? dibine kadar. atmosfer filmin içine hapsetti adeta. billy'nin oynadığı karaktere de acaip sempati besledim. belki de bu kadar saçmalık dolu bir filme verdiğim en yüksek puandır. ama bana sakın koyu yeşil puanlarla gelmeyin. sakınnn
Rated 15 Oct 2021
luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 11 Nov 2020
74
48th
By the point that "A Simple Plan" came out, Raimi had more than a decade of friendship with the Coens, so it comes as no surprise that he tried to emulate their most acclaimed work so fargo--I mean far. The issue is that this is a less effective snowy crime thriller and Raimi just isn't in his element when there aren't demonic possessions to be had. This once is decent, but I wouldn't fargo so fargo as to say you couldn't forego seeing it, maybe just watch "Fargo" instead.
Rated 11 Nov 2020
spleenspleen
Rated 12 Sep 2012
89
93rd
Iechouxi compares this movie to Macbeth. While I agree with that, I see it as an extended episode of "I Love Lucy", except instead of chocolates on a conveyor belt, it's a bag of money. And instead of Ricky's club, it's a downed plane. And instead of Little Ricky, it's a snowmobile. SPOILER ALERT: Lucy shoots Mrs. McGillicuddy in the kitchen and Ethel, distraught over never losing her virginity, kills herself after gunning down Fred, who's posing as an FBI agent.
Rated 12 Sep 2012
mjvmoviemanMJVmovieMan
Rated 23 Sep 2007
90
93rd
An unbelievably effective small-scale thriller. Everything here flows so brilliantly; the cast works well, and you really get into Paxton's increasing-dilemma.
Rated 23 Sep 2007
adragon91ADragon91
Rated 24 Feb 2021
85
93rd
Pretty awesome film by Sam Raimi that is fairly different from what he usually does. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this. The performances of Bill Paxton and Billy Bob Thornton were excellent and the film gives these characters moral dilemmas and decisions that are both rational and irrational. There's a Fargo-esque quality to it that shines and the pacing is just right. By the end, there are huge consequences. For a straight-up Crime Thriller, this is a film more people need to see.
Rated 24 Feb 2021
billyshearsBillyShears
Rated 02 Sep 2014
85
86th
~I can be a Coen brothers movie too~
Rated 02 Sep 2014
thegreyfoxthegreyfox
Rated 07 Aug 2012
59
29th
I kept expecting this to be funny, because frankly it was totally unbelievable as an actual thriller meant to be taken seriously.... it couldnt possible be "just a thriller" could it ? Yep, apparently it was. Ludicrous. We are supposed to believe that ... oh, heck no spoilers!. On the plus side, it was well acted although Paxtons wimpy persona was annoying. Thorton was excellent. A "What would YOU do in this situation" movie ... well, definitely not what these idiots decided to do !
Rated 07 Aug 2012
kojilessKojiless
Rated 07 Aug 2012
84
88th
Teaches us that just when we think nothing else can go wrong, something else goes wrong, thus proving us wrong in our first assumption, and forcing us into another decision that will probably end up going wrong as well.
Rated 07 Aug 2012
troothTrooth
Rated 31 May 2012
79
80th
It's kind of like Fargo meets Mystic River. Watching this after the Spider-Man and Evil Dead series, I was a little skeptical about it, but it convinced me that Sam Raimi can pretty much make any movie. The actors do a great job, especially Billy Bob Thornton, and there's a fantastic sense of tension throughout nearly the entire movie, mounting throughout every scene.
Rated 31 May 2012
kingofjewkingofjew
Rated 22 Sep 2010
81
88th
Sam Raimis thriller is a gorgeous film, better executed than his other thriller attempts ( see: the gift) . The movie works on all levels. Good pacing ,acting and a solid script make a good thriller, tho the story tends to get a bit predictable.
Rated 22 Sep 2010
eric_janeric-jan
Rated 19 Sep 2010
60
13th
Great acting by Billy Bob Thornton. The story is very predictable and oddly enough the stay-at-home-mom seems to be the driving factor for all the action that takes place.. THIS MOVIE IS AVERAGE AT BEST
Rated 19 Sep 2010
stainStain
Rated 22 Sep 2008
80
68th
A really interesting and original kind of crime thriller. Hats off to Sam Raimi for doing such a neat little movie after he "hit the big time"
Rated 22 Sep 2008
ubermenschubermensch
Rated 12 May 2008
88
63rd
sam raimi knows what he's doing. excellent neo-noir.
Rated 12 May 2008
mikulMikul
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
88th
Exactly what film noir should be and a visual pleasure. Sam Raimi is a really good director with a great range: Spiderman, Evil Dead, and this jewel.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 19 Nov 2023
81
77th
Excellent film that follows the familiar formula of a simple can't miss scheme scheme gone wrong and spiraling out of control. The details are satisfying and the performances good, especially (Oscar nominated) Billy Bob Thornton as the funny and tragic idiot brother of the serious Paxton. Great stuff,
Rated 19 Nov 2023
pyrosexualpyrosexual
Rated 30 Jul 2023
76
50th
Kind of dumb but DAMN, Bill Paxton sure is sexy
Rated 30 Jul 2023
eatbeanseatbeans
Rated 02 Dec 2022
4
37th
when Bridget Fonda is telling you "we have to be thinking all the time" you've made serious mistakes with your life. Also, can't they find real yokels to play movie yokels? The US is like at least fifty percent yokels.
Rated 02 Dec 2022
ktappektappe
Rated 12 Sep 2022
65
34th
The problem with watching a movie about dumb people is you foresee many problems they encounter long before they do. That's a bit tedious, though the film does get a bit deeper as it progresses. Stick with it, but be prepared to continue seeing characters make bad choices.
Rated 12 Sep 2022
themacsaysthemacsays
Rated 09 Sep 2022
60
15th
Shades of Fargo, both the movie and especially the TV series, but suffers hugely in comparison.
Rated 09 Sep 2022
mirelurkMirelurk
Rated 20 May 2022
75
64th
Still thinking about this Billy Bob performance.
Rated 20 May 2022
mike365365mike365365
Rated 15 Dec 2021
62
46th
A bit too contrived, but a mild recommendation.
Rated 15 Dec 2021
spaceflohspacefloh
Rated 12 Jun 2021
70
83rd
ger; [ein einfacher plan; a simple plan]; bei einem ländlichen dorf finden zwei Brüder und ein Freund viele Geld, doch dem scheinbar nahen Reichtum folgen Konflikte, Paranoia und Gier.;
Rated 12 Jun 2021
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 08 Apr 2021
85
59th
Viewed April 1, 2021.
Rated 08 Apr 2021
judo_koalaJudo Koala
Rated 23 Mar 2021
74
45th
Some truly outrageously silly character motivation and narrative loopholes. On what planet can someone waltz into a police station and lay claim to being an FBI agent without any, like, proof whatsoever? Paxton's character is really stupid. Too many shades of 'Fargo.' But Raimi's direction, as is wont, is tightly controlled, creating genuine tension in the midst of some questionable screenplay choices.
Rated 23 Mar 2021
bondyBondy
Rated 24 Feb 2021
7
62nd
A simple plan, just as it goes in life, can go awry when carried out by non-experts. That's what I like about this film: the characters are normal people who behave in imperfect ways regarding a situation that is highly unusual.
Rated 24 Feb 2021
naurunauru
Rated 14 Feb 2021
69
72nd
Nice small-town crime story. Good acting. Something about the decisions wasn't believable to me though. Still, very entertaining.
Rated 14 Feb 2021
calexicoCalexico
Rated 24 Aug 2020
80
66th
Dark, sharp, and thematically interesting, with a strong performance by Thornton.
Rated 24 Aug 2020
lintonmyroxylintonmyroxy
Rated 28 Jan 2020
83
42nd
I had to retroactively lower this score after seeing Fargo
Rated 28 Jan 2020
sirsassSirSass
Rated 10 Aug 2019
70
68th
Okay. Last night, all four of us were at the bowling alley until about 7:30, at which time we noticed Ally Sheedy, the Goth chick from the Breakfa......
Rated 10 Aug 2019
capodelnullacapodelnulla
Rated 19 Jun 2019
75
69th
sıradan insanların arzu ve korkularına, bu sebeple düştüğü durumlara dair çok iyi işleyen bir senaryo. hiçbir şey gereksizce uzamıyor, karakterler oturaklı, performanslar üst düzey, odağı ve tonu şaşmıyor... bazı kesmeler, sahnelerin oluşumunda yaratıcılık eksikliği olarak yorumlanabilir fakat onun ötesinde keyifle izlenecek bir iş.
Rated 19 Jun 2019
evilmangoesEvilMangoes
Rated 18 Nov 2018
98
97th
A
Rated 18 Nov 2018
nobletNoblet
Rated 16 Mar 2017
77
62nd
A little too long, but otherwise very engaging. Has a few really great scenes. Paxton/Thornton are excellent.
Rated 16 Mar 2017
butterflybbbutterflybb
Rated 06 Jul 2015
82
61st
Bleak, quietly tragic suspense film. Hard to believe Sam Raimi had anything to do with this.
Rated 06 Jul 2015
ununniliumUnunnilium
Rated 24 Sep 2014
89
88th
Okay, seriously, don't friggin' murder anyone. It's just going to lead to very emotionally intense and tragic problems.
Rated 24 Sep 2014
janusjanus
Rated 08 Sep 2014
80
77th
Fargo's evil twin. Basic (one might even say, "simple"?) but effective and especially brutal in its second half. The money here somehow seems more tempting than in other "perfect crime" films, maybe just out of the sheer quantity; whether or not subsequent character behavior is believable turns out to be moot. Role of a lifetime for Thornton, who escaped my recognition until the credits rolled. Fonda's talent can't save the script's worst moment, a rant that sounds unnatural and rehearsed.
Rated 08 Sep 2014
getmoneygetmoney
Rated 13 Jun 2014
82
64th
Raimi doing something a little different than usual. Good little movie.
Rated 13 Jun 2014
iyisinekiyisinek
Rated 17 Mar 2014
79
81st
üc arkadas, iki kardes, para, buluntu, uçak enkazi, kar, kar altinda film (fargo), açgözlülük, cinayet, karga, santaj, kasaba, abi-kardes, saf kardes (abi kardes, ve arkadaslari yolculuk yaparken önlerine bir tilki cikar ve kamyonetleri agaca çarpar. Tilkiyi vurmak için takip ederler fakat tesadüfen kar altinda kalmis bir uçak enkazi bulurlar. Pilot ölmüstür. Uçakta bir çanta dolusu para vardir. SP Para abide kalir parayi arayan olup olmadigini merak ederler. FİNAL para yanar. abi haric her
Rated 17 Mar 2014
neurophateneurophate
Rated 23 Feb 2014
78
69th
Great, but too predictable story.
Rated 23 Feb 2014
thehynesthehynes
Rated 01 Jan 2014
40
12th
Interesting premise.Boring in it's execution & every character is a dick
Rated 01 Jan 2014
glm01glm01
Rated 08 Feb 2013
83
75th
82.500
Rated 08 Feb 2013
mistersplicemistersplice
Rated 17 Jan 2013
50
28th
5- worth experiencing, alright
Rated 17 Jan 2013
afx237viafx237vi
Rated 13 Dec 2012
75
77th
Very good thriller that presents an intriguing moral conundrum for the audience to mull over. Strong acting from everyone involved, but especially from Billy Bob Thornton, who is amazing. Indeed, it works just as well as a drama about the fraternal bond between Paxton and Thornton as it does a thriller about greed and deception.
Rated 13 Dec 2012
florvdeFlorVdE
Rated 12 Dec 2012
3
64th
Strong performances and a compelling script make for effective drama. The suspense-elements work less well, depending a bit too much on contrivances and implausible decisions by the characters, but are still enjoyable.
Rated 12 Dec 2012
davidblastDavidBlast
Rated 22 Jul 2012
80
80th
A delightfully dark morality tale, that makes up for lack of scale with a peculiar but effective mixture of Shakespearian drama and small town thinking. It's hard not to enjoy a tragedy where every character acts their intelligence, and if you can't, Danny Elfman's haunting score is a master class in a brooding foreshadowing of how everything will eventually go awfully awry.
Rated 22 Jul 2012
glmglm
Rated 10 Oct 2011
83
74th
82.500
Rated 10 Oct 2011
sirrobbieSirRobbie
Rated 12 Aug 2011
70
53rd
Good script and fantastic role by Thornton.
Rated 12 Aug 2011
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 23 Sep 2010
73
88th
Snappy little thriller with great performances all around.
Rated 23 Sep 2010
iechouxiiechouxi
Rated 24 Feb 2010
0
1st
I had to do a comparison essay between this and Macbeth (the play). Ever since then, I've hated this movie.
Rated 24 Feb 2010
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 03 Feb 2010
84
60th
Effective thriller with a superb performance by Billy Bob Thornton.
Rated 03 Feb 2010
mertz109mertz109
Rated 30 Aug 2009
83
39th
Well acted and suspenseful, but overall depressing. It was not a bad movie or even a bad story, but I didn't leave the movie with a good or satisfied feeling.
Rated 30 Aug 2009
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 04 Jul 2009
81
91st
Nice Movie
Rated 04 Jul 2009
lawrencelawrence
Rated 09 Jun 2009
98
76th
Sigh.
Rated 09 Jun 2009
luthar15luthar15
Rated 07 Jun 2009
7
33rd
empiremagempiremag
Rated 22 Apr 2009
4
71st
"A very special and uncompromising piece of work. Wrap up warm."
Rated 22 Apr 2009
mastroianniMastroianni
Rated 08 Feb 2009
100
91st
For plot, and the ingenious Billy Bob Thornton, I must give this 100. Thornton does the finest acting ever witnessed in this film.
Rated 08 Feb 2009
mlaibemlaibe
Rated 10 Oct 2008
90
72nd
excellent.
Rated 10 Oct 2008
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 27 May 2008
75
89th
Great film.
Rated 27 May 2008
caimancaiman
Rated 14 Mar 2008
90
92nd
I fell in love with this movie when it first came out. The story is one of those perfect "what would YOU do in this situation" kind of things. The way events spiral out of control for these character is just intense and sad and awesome. Billy Bob Thornton is amazing.
Rated 14 Mar 2008
k0occk0occ
Rated 17 Oct 2007
90
41st
excellent black comedy
Rated 17 Oct 2007
dustydDustyd
Rated 16 Sep 2007
85
94th
Intelligent and often heartbreaking film about consequences.
Rated 16 Sep 2007
curioushaircurioushair
Rated 08 Sep 2007
83
90th
Like Shallow Grave a blackly comic unravelling of good intentions and good people.
Rated 08 Sep 2007
stflyst_fly
Rated 06 Sep 2007
75
75th
Good. When a plane crashes near a small town, the fortune on-board puts to the test the integrity and relationships of the family that finds it and their friends.
Rated 06 Sep 2007
bethelysabethelysa
Rated 14 Aug 2007
20
11th
This film got a lot of critical acclaim but it was the one and only movie I ever walked out of. Every single character is just completely unlikeable -- there's no rootability factor. It just made my stomach hurt.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
yilbyilb
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
79th
"Very Bad Things" without the funny bits. A shade long, but still gripping.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
octopusnarcOctopusnarc
Rated 14 Aug 2007
87
68th
A Simple Plan is a paranoid story of a group of back country men trying to steal money found in a crashed plane. Murder and Treachery abound.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
svicciarellisvicciarelli
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
82nd
Brilliant - taut and fierce, good story, acting and directing.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
baskilbaskil
Rated 14 Aug 2007
91
80th
Very intense.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
vince_leoVince Leo
Rated 14 Aug 2007
60
36th
Interesting for it's use of good people as the bad guys and for forcing the viewer to adopt the position of essentially rooting for criminals
Rated 14 Aug 2007
spoonerspotspoonerspot
Rated 14 Aug 2007
79
58th
Plan is simple...plot is not...good twists
Rated 14 Aug 2007
00120012
Rated 23 Jun 2007
88
78th
Taut, character-driven suspense story. Great performances all round.
Rated 23 Jun 2007
bodaggerBo_Dagger
Rated 08 Jun 2007
25
70th
The book was better.
Rated 08 Jun 2007
monstergearMonsterGear
Rated 14 May 2007
83
74th
Diabolical. Something you want to end well, but you know won't.
Rated 14 May 2007
travisbickleTravisbickle
Rated 17 Feb 2007
100
93rd
Pathos and film noir intersect in this eerie tale of greed, unspoken secrets,and the frailty of the human spirit.A surprizing,but very enjoyable departure from flamboyant director Sam Raimi's usual over-the-top directing! Must see!
Rated 17 Feb 2007
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 30 Dec 2006
70
75th
The rare drama from Sam Raimi, good stuff. Thornton, Paxton and Bridget Fonda are really good actors, and Danny Elfman is the best composer in Hollywood.
Rated 30 Dec 2006
dweavisdweavis
Rated 12 Dec 2006
100
90th
Sam Raimi (yes the guy that did Evil Dead and Spiderman) did this before he took off big and I believe it is still his best movie next to Evil Dead 2. It is a horror movie, but not in a way you would expect. Just bad decisions that turn these peoples lives into a horror story.
Rated 12 Dec 2006

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