Best Laid Plans (1999)

A seemingly simple plan to steal money goes increasingly awry.

Director:

Mike Barker

Writer:

Ted Griffin

Stars:

Alessandro Nivola, Reese Witherspoon, Josh Brolin

1 win.

Cast

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

Storyline

Bryce (Josh Brolin) is a successful man who returns to his tiny hometown for a visit. While there, he runs into his old friend Nick (Alessandro Nivola). The two decide to go out for the night. When they enter a bar, Bryce encounters Kathy (Reese Witherspoon), a blonde temptress whom he eventually takes home for the night. When he awakens, Kathy informs him that she is underage and threatens to tell the police that Bryce has committed statutory rape. Bryce panics and decides to tie her up and hide her away in the basement. He then makes a call to Nick. Unbeknownst to Bryce, Kathy is actually Nick's girlfriend Lissa. The two had schemed to use Bryce's money to pay off a $15,000 debt they owe small-time hood Jimmy (Terrence Howard).

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Plot Keywords:

nutshell | internal revenue service | killing an animal | loss of pet | billiard table | 

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Taglines:

Relationships can be murder.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 May 1999 (UK)

Also Known As:

El engaño

Filming Locations:

Sea Breeze Restaurant-since moved; 23d and R Streets; Bakersfield, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$7,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$14,872, 12 September 1999, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$25,651, 19 September 1999

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dogstar Films,Fox 2000 Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

[Nick is reaching for the stolen note, which Lissa has hidden in her private parts]
Lissa: You could at least kiss me when you do that.

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Alternate Versions

The DVD contains some deleted scenes:

• Alternate Opening Titles featuring a vagrant named Cal, riding a bicycle decorated with recycling goods.
• At the pool Nick and Bryce discuss what to do with Lissa.
• Cal collects some tins.
• Nick and Lissa sell the belongings of Nicks's deceased father.
• An extended version of the scene where Nick and Lissa plan to leave Tropico. Here Lissa tells Nick that she wants to get out at all cost.
• A longer version of the scene on the roof of the hotel which fleshes out Lissa's devotion to Nick.
• An extended version of the scene where Nick and Lissa plan the robbery.
• Nick kills some time, buys some cigarettes and inadvertently starts the bush fire.
• An alternate ending which is not as clearly positive as in the final film, but is instead "hopeful".

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Connections

References Tricky Business (1995)

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Soundtracks

Twisted Mess
Written by Neneh Cherry, Craig Armstrong, Cameron McVey and Paul Simm
Performed by Neneh Cherry
Produced by Cameron McVey and Paul Simm
Neneh Cherry performs couresty of Circa Records Ltd.

User Reviews

A smart, entertaining movie

This was a pleasant surprise. I really didn't know what to expect, but what I got was a very intelligent movie with more than enough twists and turns to keep things rather unpredictable. It took a little too long to get everything set up properly, and it perhaps had one twist too many, but overall, it was a great film with strong performances by Alessandro Nivola and Reese Witherspoon. Definitely worth checking out.