Best Laid Plans (1999)

Director:

Mike Barker

Writer (WGA):

Ted Griffin (written by)

Release Date:

14 May 1999 (UK)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Ever feel like the world is conspiring against you... You don't have to tell me where you've been... Everyone sucks, but us... keeping a relationship alive can be murder.

Plot:

A seemingly simple plan to steal money goes increasingly awry.

Plot Keywords:

Neo Noir | Blackmail | Burglar | Scheme | Independent Film

Cast

Alessandro Nivola	...	Nick
Reese Witherspoon	...	Lissa
Josh Brolin	...	Bryce
Gene Wolande	...	Lawyer
Jonathan McMurtry	...	Vet
Father Terrance Sweeney	...	Priest
Rebecca Klingler	...	Diner Waitress
Rocky Carroll	...	Bad Ass Dude
Kate Hendrickson	...	Bar Waitress
Owen Bush	...	Vagrant
Jesse Woodrow	...	Roach Coach Clerk
James Marsh	...	Barry (as Jamie Marsh)
Michael McCleery	...	Recycling Owner
Terrence Howard	...	Jimmy (as Terrence Dashon Howard)
Sean Nepita	...	Freddie

Also Known As:

Engaño, El (Argentina) (Venezuela) [es]
Un coup d'enfer (Canada: French title) (France) [fr]
Cele mai bune planuri (Romania) [ro]
Helvetillinen suunnitelma (Finland) [fi]
Plan perfecto, Un (Spain) [es]
Planos Ocultos (Portugal) [pt]
Planos Quase Perfeitos (Brazil) [pt]
Un plan d'enfer (France) [fr]

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:14+ (Ontario) | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Germany:16 (bw) | Ireland:18 | New Zealand:R13 | Singapore:R(A) | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R | Spain:13 | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

Bakersfield, California, USA

Company:

Dogstar Films

Quotes:

Nick: I love you.
Lissa: Why do you think I'm doing this?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Dialogue: An Interview with Screenwriter Ted Griffin (2006) (V)

Soundtrack:

You Must Be An Angel

Not exactly believable

On the plus side, this movie features some terrific performances, especially by Reese Witherspoon. (I'm a fan.) On the down side, while it tries to be a clever film-noir a la "Usual Suspects", its story doesn't bear scrutiny.

The first time I saw this, I was fooled by some of the tricks and surprises, but having just watched it a second time, it seems obvious and hardly believable. I found myself thinking, "Would anyone really do THAT?"

"The Usual Suspects", for all its faults, can be watched three or four times, and you still feel a frisson of surprise as the story turns itself inside out and back again. I sometimes think that there really is no point to it, but at least it's entertaining enough so that few viewers care. "Best Laid Plans", on the other hand, suffers from a lack of credibility that ultimately ruins it for a second viewing.

However, the two leads are likable and the production values are strong, so it's worth a spin, at least.