There's a particular kind of anxiety that hums beneath the surface of small-town life in film noir – the feeling that secrets are currency and desperation is just one bad decision away. It’s this low, simmering tension that Mike Barker’s 1999 thriller, Best Laid Plans, taps into so effectively. Watching it again now, decades removed from its original video store shelf life, it feels like uncovering a slightly dusty, but undeniably potent, capsule of late-90s neo-noir. It wasn't a film that shouted from the rooftops, but rather whispered its dark intentions, leaving a lingering chill.
### Cornered Animals in Sun-Drenched Streets
The premise, penned by a then-newcomer writer named Ted Griffin, feels almost archetypal. Nick (Alessandro Nivola) returns to his sleepy hometown after college, only to find himself entangled with his old friend Bryce (Josh Brolin) and Bryce's captivating girlfriend, Lissa (Reese Witherspoon). Bryce, trapped by circumstance and a looming debt, ropes Nick into a seemingly simple, albeit morally dubious, plan to make quick cash. As anyone familiar with noir knows, such plans rarely stay simple. What unfolds is a tight, twisty narrative where allegiances shift like sand and the initial desperation snowballs into something far more dangerous.
What elevates Best Laid Plans beyond a standard potboiler are the performances from its central trio, all caught at interesting points in their careers. Alessandro Nivola, who always possessed a kind of thoughtful intensity, embodies Nick's weary intelligence and creeping entrapment perfectly. You see the conflict warring within him – the desire for a quiet life clashing with the magnetic pull of Lissa and the tangled loyalties to Bryce.
Then there’s Reese Witherspoon. Coming off roles that played more into youthful charm or sharp satire like Election (released the same year) or Cruel Intentions, here she dives into something grittier. Lissa isn't a straightforward femme fatale, but rather a complex character driven by her own desires and survival instincts. Witherspoon navigates this ambiguity with a compelling maturity, hinting at the formidable dramatic range she would later fully explore. It’s fascinating to see her testing these darker waters.
And Josh Brolin, already possessing that gravelly presence, is excellent as Bryce. He’s not just a villain; he’s a man drowning in bad choices, radiating a volatile mix of charm, menace, and pathetic need. The chemistry between these three actors is palpable, forming the volatile core around which the plot spirals.
### The Craft of Tension on a Modest Scale
Mike Barker, who would later direct acclaimed television like The Handmaid's Tale and Outlander, demonstrates a keen understanding of pacing and atmosphere here. The film, shot for a reported $7 million – a fairly modest sum even then – doesn't rely on flashy set pieces. Instead, it uses the sun-bleached, slightly desolate feel of its locations (filmed partly in Keddie, California) to create a sense of claustrophobia. The heat seems oppressive, mirroring the pressure cooker situation the characters find themselves in. Barker lets the tension build through loaded glances, pregnant pauses, and the gradual reveal of hidden motives.
It’s also worth noting this was the first produced screenplay for Ted Griffin. You can already see the seeds of the intricate plotting and character dynamics that would later define his work on scripts like the slick remake of Ocean's Eleven (2001). Best Laid Plans might be rougher around the edges, lacking the effortless cool of Danny Ocean's crew, but the knack for intertwining character flaws with narrative twists is clearly present. Griffin reportedly drew inspiration from John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, aiming for a modern story about dreams curdling in a harsh reality, which adds a layer of thematic weight beneath the thriller mechanics.
### More Than Just Twists?
Does the film reinvent the neo-noir wheel? Perhaps not entirely. Some viewers might find certain plot contrivances familiar, echoes of films like Red Rock West (1993) or The Last Seduction (1994) perhaps resonating for genre fans. Yet, Best Laid Plans holds its own through sheer conviction. It commits fully to its increasingly dark trajectory, refusing easy outs for its characters. There’s a bleakness here, a sense that choices have irreversible consequences, that feels honest even amidst the thriller framework.
I remember renting this one back in the day, likely drawn by the cast or the promise of a taut thriller. It wasn't the kind of movie you discussed endlessly with everyone, but it stuck with you – that feeling of lives unraveling, of decent intentions paving a road to ruin. It's a solid example of the kind of mid-budget, adult-oriented drama that became harder to find as the new millennium dawned.
Rating: 7/10
This score reflects a film that succeeds admirably within its neo-noir ambitions. It's anchored by three compelling lead performances capturing actors on the rise, features confident direction that maximizes atmosphere over budget, and boasts a tightly wound script from a writer who would go on to bigger things. While perhaps not groundbreaking, Best Laid Plans is a well-crafted and absorbing 90s thriller that delivers suspense and a satisfyingly grim mood. It earns its twists and leaves you pondering the tangled webs we weave, especially when trapped by circumstance. A rewarding find for anyone digging through the late-VHS era catalogue.