Nick (Nivola) and Lissa (Witherspoon) are in love but dying to get out of their hometown of Tropico. When Nick is offered a shady job that would pay enough for the couple to leave, he jumps at the opportunity, but things go wrong and Nick gets in trouble with the local drug dealer. Nick and Lissa then plan to scam the money they need from an old friend, Bryce (Brolin) but once again, things don't go as planned. A twisty neo-noir with plot turns galore.
Review 1:
"...[A] striking visual style..."
Source: New York Times
p.E22 09/10/1999
Review 2:
"...[The filmmakers] stylishly conspire to catch the audience off guard....Cool Nivola and warm Witherspoon make a combustible match..."
Source: USA Today
p.12E 09/10/1999
Review 3:
"...[Witherspoon] is an actress who rivets attention and rewards it..."
Source: Rolling Stone
p.100 09/30/1999
Review 4:
"...This very stylish thriller pays homage to the classic film noir tradition and delivers it with enormous distinction..."
Source: Box Office
p.61 12/01/1999
Review 5:
"...Hard to beat such a potent mixture of lurid detail, delicious over-plotting, and surprise twists..." -- 3 out of 5 Stars
Source: Premiere
p.96 03/01/2000
Review 6:
"...A sharp contemporary noir thriller....BEST LAID PLANS is a fine mood piece with lots of atmosphere and boasts terrific performances from its stars..."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.C12 09/10/1999