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The greatest movie ever created.

This is the best film ever made. (yes, better than Titanic) The performances were astounding and the story was gripping. The ending left me phsyically shaking for a half hour after seeing it. A must-see.

The story is ok but the film is way too long

This is a story about Hank and his brother Jacob and how you change when you get your hands on what they call the American dream (4 million dollars). Unfortunately this movie is unnecessary long, it would have been a lot better if they had removed 30-40 minutes. It is still worth seeing but not if you plan to laugh and have fun.

The best suspense/noir I've seen in several years.

This presents a moral dilemma worthy of Arthur Miller. I don't understand the objections to "plot holes". With one exception, these are quite believable choices the characters make. Is the deck stacked because one man is mentally challenged? Perhaps - but that is part of the dilemma the trio of men is faced with. This is not a generic thriller and it is problems like that that help it. Yes, I didn't believe that no one would notice the man who was rifling through the gun cabinet (no pun intended), but people find faults in King Lear, too.The ending is superb. Depressing? Perhaps, but REAL. This is what happens - fantasy escapes from the consequences of our actions happen only in John Grisham novels, if you get my drift.Well acted and written, I'd recommend this to anyone who loves Hitch or the Coen Bros. in particular.

Why is this film so dull?

Well, it isn't SO dull: the story, qua story, held my interest from beginning to end. So why did I keep wishing that it would end? Why the nagging desire to get up and stretch my legs?I think there's a shortage of glee. The premise is simple: three men discover a crashed aeroplane full of money in the woods, and instead of alerting the authorities, they make what seems to be the not-quite-morally-wrong decision to keep the cash for themselves. Their "simple plan" is just to keep the money at Hank's house until all is clear.
But first one thing goes wrong, then another, and they find themselves committing crime after crime in a hopeless attempt to cover up the crime before.All the twists and turns and fatal errors are presented with such a dreadful earnestness, as if Raimi isn't enjoying the story, and doesn't want us to enjoy it, either. Odd that this should be so. "Army of Darkness" (made just five years earlier) was a masterpiece of over-the-top glee - a tale of treachery, selfishness, incompetence and necromancy presented with joyful, lip-smacking relish. Here Raimi goes to the other extreme. The material demands an arch treatment, a sense of humour - I mean, yes, the cruel twists of fate are tragic, but they're funny as well - yet Raimi's direction casts a wet blanket over every scene, and it's hard to have any fun. Something tells me, too, that the film is too long. In the hands of, say, Billy Wilder, the film would have been snappier, and all the better for it. Some directors have the ability to keep the camera running on sparse, drawn-out scenes in such a way as to make them fascinating; Raimi, on the evidence presented here, doesn't.What (considerable) skills Raimi does have often work against the film rather than for it. Note the scenes in which people get drunk. Many directors can present people being drunk; Raimi can take is INSIDE their drunkenness - but this was a mistake. Have you ever been drunk in uncongenial company? There comes a moment when one suddenly becomes disgusted with everything, unable to bear one's drinking partners, and more profoundly bored than it is possible to be while sober. That's what several of the characters feel at certain points; and that, unfortunately, is what we feel too.A noble attempt to tell a good story, fitfully successful, but it just isn't much fun to watch.

One of the best films of the year. A dark and sinister tale of greed and betrayal.

It is certainly refreshing to watch a film where the characters are just as smart or smarter than the audiences who watch them. Director Sam Raimi shows that he can handle complex characters and plot with a tight and restrained hand, without resorting to the usual cartoonish camera acrobatics that permeated his previous films. The cast is superb, Billy Bob Thornton will certainly get an Oscar nomination for his performance. Here he shows that he is indeed not a one hit wonder. Bill Paxton, and Bridget Fonda also give the best performances of their careers. Here's to hoping a great future in films for Sam Raimi.

ONE OF THE BEST FILMS OF THE 90s.

'A SIMPLE PLAN' is a contemporary masterpiece. The story concerns two brothers and a friend who discover over $4,000 in unmarked bills in the wreckage of a small plane. Soon their own greed, suspicion, and paranoia set in which leads to murders and cover-ups. Driven by remarkable performances and symbolic, chilling cinematography, the suspense never lets up. What impressed me most about this stark neo-noir was the human characters, created to be so real that you feel like you know them. The writing is brilliant too, full of power which increases the brooding mood. Probing deep into moral ambiguity unlike any film of recent years, don't miss 'A SIMPLE PLAN'-its one of the greatest!

Liked Fargo, hated this

I don't know how the majority of the people reviewing this movie could give it a 9 or 10 out of 10. I watched this on Friday, was excited because of the good reviews I'd seen and I normally enjoy Billy Bob's movies. After 50 minutes I was fighting the urge to turn it off. Maybe I was in the mood for a movie with a pulse, maybe I was in the mood for a movie with some funny jokes, maybe the movie just stunk. All I can tell you is that after 70 minutes I couldn't fight the desire to turn it off and I did. Drop Dead Fred, Captain Ron and A Simple Plan are the only movies I have been unable to watch to the end.The book is likely awesome, so before turning off your brain and renting this, think about watching (or rewatching) Fargo, or go to the book store instead and get the book.

A Simple Failure

The first movie I have walked out of in a long time. And having worked on numerous films I hate to reject any film knowing how much goes into the process. Perhaps it should have been left as a novel. Don't waste your $$ as there is no return on screen.

A refreshing movie - more please.

It's so refreshing to see an American movie without a feel good ending. I found this move quite stressful at times but it was so intriguing I was hooked start to finish. The characters were fantastic - particularly Thornton. Many people may have felt the ending was inappropriate - well in a way I agree, but only on technical grounds - the story was fine. Maybe the Director could have softened the stark reality a little.The bit where Jacob (Thornton) says "I'm tired" at the end is the part I will always remember; if I were in his shoes I would have felt the same way.Much better than Fargo. Best American film since "The Last Supper".

Solid Performances from Actors

A Simple Plan(1998) is the quintessential Neo Noir with believable situations, believable characters, and believable story. Follows in the path of the great Noirs of the past. Although I love Fargo(1996), I find that I prefered the acting of this film. This is because the main character who planned the perfect crime is intellegent and thinks things out. A mature step for film maker, Sam Raimi. More closer in tone to Blood Simple(1985) than Fargo(1996). Contains all of that film's plot twists and double crosses. Bill Paxton gives the performance of his career. For some stupid reason, A Simple Plan(1998) did not get nominated in the Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director. One of the five top movies of 1998. Billy Bob Thornton is great as the slow minded but morally conscious, Jacob Mitchell. Bridget Fonda is good in a role that makes Lady MacBeth look powerless. A Simple Plan(1998) in some scenes is inspired by the play, MacBeth. Shows how good natured people react when it comes to finding lots of money that isn't theirs. Sam Raimi has done some terrific films such as The Evil Dead(1983), Darkman(1990), and A Simple Plan(1998). A masterpiece that is an improvement over the lame and stupid, Quick & the Dead(1995).
Sam Raimi does some surperb piece of filmmaking for A Simple Plan(1998). A great film from the closing years of the 20th Century.

Another gruesome, exploitation of violence.

Greed overcomes altruism as a so-called good person, corrupted just a little bit, slides headfirst into an abyss of ethical depravity. One of the most disturbing films I have ever seen. Technically an 8/10, but I rated it a 4/10 because of its societal worthlessness.

A very good example of its genre

This genre ALWAYS is open to criticism as to plot contrivances- so films belonging to it must be judged on relative criteria. This one is well above average. The stand-out performance in the film is Billy-Bob Thornton's.I didn't even recognize him right away- he completely disappeared into the role. The most well-rounded and non-stereotypical portrayal of a "dummy" type character that I can ever recall seeing on film. He gave remarkable subtlety to the character. This role and his role in Sling Blade together suggest that this guy is one of the most talented actors in film today.

The Ultimate Modern Parable

This movie is one of the most haunting stories I have ever seen on the screen. I saw it in the theatre more than two years ago, and it still stays with me. Rod Serling would have been proud to have had his name on this, and quite frankly it bears his legacy all over it. This is Bill Paxton's best performance, and it might be Billy Bob Thornton's too. But beyond the performances and the direction, the story itself is a classic. Just remember to ask yourself: What would you do if you found that much money in the middle of nowhere?

Fargo's companion piece

It is always puzzling at some level to see a morality tale in a mechanical cosmos. What was the director thinking? Have the actors read ancient Greek tragedy? Well, I'm accused of overanalyzing films, so I'll give a brief review: What happens when a civilized man happens across an unexplained bag containing some four million dollars in the company of two knuckledraggers in the middle of nowhere? Rationalization and self-deception, followed soon by a growing stack of corpses. Except for some horrific scenes, the film is understated, high key and beautifully photographed. Reminiscent of "Fargo," this gem is stunning and unforgetable.

Can't Ever Compare a Movie with the Book!

Generally I wouldn't have never seen this movie as I didn't know who the Director was or certainly would never had seen the movies he did. I was compelled to see the movie via suggestion and chose to read the book first! The movie was good, however, you can never grasp the desperation of the characters, and how evil Hank did become. Too many changes occurred. In the end, Hank was made to look caring & loving toward his brother, but in the book, what he did to his brother was true evil, to save his own soul. A minor blooper: The BOOK said old man was done in with scarf, MOVIE doesn't show that, MOVIE confession mentions scarf. Bridget Fonda was just there, Billy Bob was convincing, and the character of Lou was what I had pictured. Paxton did good job. If you are only into the "movies", it was good, if you read the book, it was better!

A Story That Can Be Heard By Every Living Person...

1998's 'A Simple Plan' is a brilliantly acted movie that focuses on the most basic of human failings...greed. When three hikers (Bill Paxton, his mentally challenged brother Billy Bob Thornton and Brent Briscoe) stumble upon an isolated fortune coved by snow, attitudes and first impressions of each character immediately begin to change. Even for the most honest person of the group, the person most doubtfull to keep the money, four million in hard cash drives the three to devise a plan that will ultimately tear themselves and the small town apart. The movie is true to the mindset of each character as certain obstacles come between them and their destiny, and Billy Bob Thornton's talent combines with his underlying motive to make him once again the most believable aspect of the movie. To tell the truth I think the movie should've added something at the end, in other words once you've seen the role of the person who closes the chapter on the money...you, or at least I wondered if it was enough after all he had done. It's a great and very accurate adaptation of the one thing everyday that drives most of us to do things that are not quite right, even if they are not of the pure evil that fuels the greed of these three small town men.

A fully believable modern morality play

I saw this film last night and I was really impressed. It is a thoughtful and believable story of how greed and stupidity (and guns of course) do not mix. Bridget Fonda is great as a sort of Lady MacBeth urging her husband on to what become foul deeds. Billy Bob Thornton, Bill Paxton and Brent Briscoe are all excellent. What is also great about it (and what will be unpopular) is the understandable and perhaps more likely ending when the most morally upright character in the story comes back to his senses. I highly recommend this film which is reminiscent of Fargo and has Tarantino-esque elements without the gore. Congratulations to Hollywood for producing this sort of anti-formula story! Just one criticism... how did the guy from the FBI arrive in this small town at the right moment?

All ingenious - is simple!

All ingenious - is simple. The excellent script, is included into my 5 favourite films, the atmosphere - amazing, grasps film from the very beginning, more human drama it is difficult to find. The human factor is at the head of a corner, film has set me thinking, a tower has broken capitally! Money spoil people and at times people do the big mistakes in a pursuit of these. In the chapter of all human tragedies there is a nonsense and abjectness, it is possible to mean abjectness of money. Communication with Fargo I do not see, two different films though in both big role play money. Only in a case from Fargo people earned on it and went intentionally. That here more thin picture, about that as usual would seem people can make acts in a cut to the values.10/10

A simple plan is simply terrible

A Simple Plan starred one of my favorite, most underrated actors in Bill Paxton. Unfortunately, I had the poor fate of being forced to watch this terrible film in class. So allow me to warn all those who intend to buy this: don't purchase this film, it's not as great as you may think and you will not walk away from it satisfied because it is a highly disturbing picture that tried to create moral values by destroying others.

I really enjoyed how this film began, three guys, two of whom are brothers, discover a downed plane and inside of it is a suit case full of cash, millions worth. Paxton's character is the only one out of the three of them who wants to turn the cash into the police, he's a stand up, moral guy who wants to do what's right. But he caves in to his brother and buddy and they decide to form a simple plan: if nobody puts an ad out to claim it they keep the money for themselves. That's the "simple plan." Gee, I guess the director thought all of us viewers were morons because I wonder what happens instead?

Bridget Fonda's character is a flake: she starts off as this moral wife who attempts to be the conscience of her husband, which is Paxton, but almost instantly becomes this greedy female dog who hordes over the cash. A complete turn around in character. What's disturbing is this isn't the only character in this film that completely turns around and abandons all forms of a moral guidance. It's almost as if nobody in this film has any back bone, any moral fiber, that they are instead controlled by money.

As much as greed is a serious flaw in people, making people who start out as moral good guys/girls and instantly transforming them into Scrooges is rather cliche for this movie and I think unreal. Fonda's sudden turn doesn't nearly bother me as the drastic, disturbing turn of Bill Paxton's character.

As the movie progresses, Paxton's character is practically responsible for two deaths. The first death is the worst, where he MURDERS an old man. How can we possibly sympathize with a guy who committs cold blooded murder? I understand the objective of this film, but even films that play off the dark side of mankind need a character we can trust, enjoy, and sympathize because we know he's at least TRYING to do the right thing. Paxton starts out as trying to do the right thing, then he shifts to trying to do the wrong thing. This isn't character development, despite what most of you may think. This is called stepping out of character because Paxton's character just switches, it doesn't develop. There's a difference. In fact Paxton's character, the initial character dies in my mind because he isn't even a shade of the character Paxton finishes the film with.

I also thought the violence in this film was totally unnecessary. It was totally out of control and very yahoo like. I mean, Paxton's best friend tries to kill him with a sawed off shot-gun? Then his buddy's wife reaches into a cookie jar and pulls out a revolver and also tries to kill Paxton? But Paxton blows her guts out in defense? Then Paxton's character, mercilessly, blows the brains out of the bad guy in the end? And the kicker, the absolute worst part of the film is when Paxton's brother gets all depressed in the end and he wants to die so he asks Paxton to shoot him. And he does! He shoots his own brother! What is this film?! What is up with Paxton's character? He goes around blowing people away, he began as a character with a moral back bone and yet he commits more murders and is responsible for more deaths than Ted Bundy! And people think his character is sympathetic?

This is an awful film. I understand the moral point about greed, but while trying to teach us that point the film makes the characters totally unbelievable by making them switch into these dark, evil people who go around shooting their own family members! I mean this is insane, I can't believe people actually think this is a good movie. I give it two stars because at least it goes through with its lesson, unfortunately it costed itself three stars by giving us characters we can't possibly relate to or sympathize with because most of us wouldn't turn 180 degrees because we found some loot. We may horde over it, but would we be willing to kill and murder for it? Think about it, because according to this film you would.

A cracker-jack thriller that explodes in your face and leaves you think about the end for the next couple of hours.

Everybody says that 1998 was a weak year for movies. True, some movies in the spring were kinda stupid, but others such as this end up as one of the best of the decade. This movie is about REAL people, not stick figures. The people in the movie act as if it were you in the same position. It's the kind of movie that has jaw-dropping scenes because of the risks the characters take to keep the money a secret. Some say this is like Fargo but I can't see the similarity. People say this is funny but I don't see the laughs. What I see is a great drama mixed with action almost as tense as Armageddon. As for the end. Well there is only one thing I can really say about the end...THE BEST CLIMAX IN MOTION PICTURE HISTORY. It left me a little sad and depressed. You leave not wanting to do another bad thing in your life. It also makes you feel good that your life is better than Billy Bob Thornton's character, but at the same time you just can't help but feeling sorry for him. One last thing, Billy Bob Thornton does his best role. If you're a Billy Bob Thornton fan than see this movie by all means.