One False Move (1992)

A small town police chief awaits the arrival of a gang of killers.

Director:

Carl Franklin

Writers:

Billy Bob Thornton, Tom Epperson

Stars:

Bill Paxton, Billy Bob Thornton, Cynda Williams

8 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bill Paxton	...	Dale 'Hurricane' Dixon
Cynda Williams	...	Fantasia / Lila
Billy Bob Thornton	...	Ray Malcolm
Michael Beach	...	Pluto
Jim Metzler	...	Dud Cole
Earl Billings	...	McFeely
Natalie Canerday	...	Cheryl Ann
Robert Ginnaven	...	Charlie
Robert Anthony Bell	...	Byron
Kevin Hunter	...	Ronnie
Phyllis Kirklin	...	Mrs. Walker
Meredith 'Jeta' Donovan	...	Bonnie
Jimmy Bridges	...	Bobby (as James D. Bridges)
Phyllis Sutton	...	Jackie
Derrick Williams	...	Darren

Storyline

In Los Angeles, after a violent drug rip-off, the Los Angeles Police Department detectives find the identity of the trio - the sadistic I.Q. of 150 and college graduate Lenny "Pluto" Franklyn; his not so bright buddy in San Quentin Ray Malcolm; and his girlfriend Fantasia. Their further investigation indicates that the criminals are fleeing to Star City, Arkanas, and LAPD detective Dud Cole and his partner John McFeely contact the local Chief of Police Dale 'Hurricane' Dixon and they head to the little town. The yokel family man Dale, who is used to resolve domestic issues, is fascinated with the chance to participate of a manhunt and befriends the two detectives. But when he sees the picture of Fantasia, he recognizes her as Lila Walker and is haunted by his past, hiding a secret about Lila Walker.

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Plot Keywords:

police | small town | drugs | arkansas | neo noir | 

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Taglines:

All it takes to bring him down is one bullet... one woman or... One False Move.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence and language, and for drug content

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 May 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hurricane

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$1,543,112

Company Credits

Production Co:

IRS Media

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Billy Bob Thornton and Cynda Williams got married after filming was completed. They were divorced before the film was released two years later.

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Goofs

Ray slaps Jackie when she's against the wall, makes her mouth bleed, and some gets on her shirt. Later, when she's bound and gagged on the floor, the blood has disappeared.

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Quotes

Dale 'Hurricane' Dixon: Lila, even if I wanted to, I can't help you.
[pauses]
Dale 'Hurricane' Dixon: I don't have the legal authority.
Fantasia - Lila: You didn't have the legal authority to fuck me when I was 17 years old... but that didn't stop you, did it?

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: The Best Films of 1992 (1993)

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Soundtracks

I Can't Stop Cryin'
Written by Deborah Holland
© 1990 Animal Logic Music (ASCAP), Big Biscuit (ASCAP), Deaconsongs (ASCAP) and Illegal Film Music (ASCAP)

User Reviews

A very well directed thriller !!!

Directed by Carl Franklin and written by Billy Bob Thornton and Tom Epperson, 'One False Move' is a thriller starring Cynda Williams, Billy Bob Thornton, Bill Paxton, Michael Beach,etc.

Although the film on the surface is another drug deal gone wrong type thriller with violence and blood, but it has a lot going on beneath the violence of the criminal activities portrayed on screen. The script deals with the themes of the contrast between the country and the city, racism and the mask that many people wear to hide the complexities of their lives and their past. Somehow all these themes come together in the most seamless and nuanced manner to enhance the poignancy of the film. The plot reminded me of Richard Brooks' 'In Cold Blood'. It has a similar structure of criminals on the road trying to evade the law while the police is making plans to bring them in.

The acting is very good from all involved. Many of the characters in the film are not what they might appear to be initially. I have to individually mention Bill Paxton and Cynda Williams for showing a lot of range by playing character, the perceptions for whom change radically in the viewer's mind with the revealing of new facts about their past.

I have already mentioned that the script is layered, but even then this could have become a standard crime-thriller with no depth. Carl Franklin actually underlined the themes in the script by putting more emphasis on the characters, their behaviour and their past than just the violence of the criminal activities. The film ends on an optimistically in a subtle way. But personally I would have probably ended the film on a bleaker note to go with the subtext of the film. But the ending to the film still works as a hopeful message.