Effective and chilling.

Not only is A Simple Plan an absolutely brilliant, gripping psychological thriller but it is also an absorbing examination of human actions during times of desperation. The film is a thought-provoking and meaningful character study based on the popular novel by author Scott B. Smith (who also wrote the adapted screenplay).

I never expected A Simple Plan to be anything special, but decided to give it a shot after receiving a number of recommendations. As it turns out, this is a gripping thriller that you won't want to miss.

Hank Mitchell (Paxton) is just your average hard-working American male struggling to put food on the table. He is a man who obeys the law and wouldn't be capable of anything terrible. His wife (Fonda) is pregnant with their first child. In the film we follow Hank, his brother Jacob (Thornton) and a redneck named Lou (Briscoe). Their lives are suddenly changed when a walk through snow-covered terrain in a Nature Reserve results in them stumbling across a cache of money roughly adding up to $4.4 million. Questions are soon raised about whether to keep the money or just turn it into the police. In the end they come to a compromise: Hank will hold onto the money securely and safely until it is clear that it will be safe to split between them. If the authorities begin searching for the money, the men will immediately burn it to avoid suspicion. It would seem like the three men have developed a simple plan; however loyalties begin to blur as human nature and greed jeopardises their friendship. For the rest of the film's duration we examine the consequences of the actions of the characters; one seemingly simple plan that ends in tragedy and digs them in a lot deeper.

The film works on a basic premise that sounds like your average drama. A Simple Plan is far from your usual conventional thriller. Instead it steers away from the clichés and takes us for a drive into unfamiliar territory. The film isn't at all predictable, and it presents us with a compelling set of events.

Not only is the film extremely original and unpredictable, but the premise and the moral predicament of finding a sack of money is something we can all relate to. If you found a large stash of money, would you keep it? It helps the audience get into the mind of the characters. All of the three protagonists are in a financial struggle and hence are in desperate need of funds to keep them going. The film hits home because it is an accurate display of what human nature can cause one to do in times of despondency. The worst in humans is always brought out by voracity and greediness.

A Simple Plan is incredibly atmospheric. The opening few shots firmly establish the isolation and drab nature of the winter; a snow-covered landscape that hides many things. And of course recognition must go to composer Danny Elfman. His score was superb. The main theme especially sent a chill down my spine. With such great visuals and a fantastic score on top it was difficult to find yourself bored.

Raimi's direction for this film also gave the audience a sense of seclusion while surrounded by a landscape enclosed with snow.

Bill Paxton is fantastic in the lead role. At the beginning he helped us get engaged with his character - he's just your average mild-mannered family man who always tries to do what he thinks is best. Paxton is backed up by the equally superb Billy Bob Thornton. An Oscar nomination was thrown into Thornton's path for his superb character execution. He was always strong and emotional. It was easy for his poignant portrayal to bring a tear to your eye. His final few moments on screen are his highest point in the movie, though.

The script is well-written and surprisingly unconventional. The ending was something I certainly didn't expect. Unfortunately the film is sometimes quite stupid, which is the only drawback.

A Simple Plan cannot be missed at any cost. This thriller is effective, chilling and atmospheric. Do yourself a favour and rent it without hesitation.