A Simple Plan

REVIEW
Recalling the style and achievement of former collaborators Joel and Ethan Coen (especially their Blood Simple and Fargo), director Raimi's striking psychological thriller is a nerve-racking, thought-provoking morality tale played out as American tragedy. Based on Scott Smith's best-seller, the story begins as two brothers, the respectable Hank and the slow-witted Jacob (Paxton and Thornton), unearth a downed plane in the snowy wilderness of their small town, and in it is a duffel bag containing millions in cash. Immediately, Smith (who adapted his novel) and Raimi set in motion a moral dilemma -- one in which the audience becomes part -- as they try to decide what to do with the money. As each layer of the characters' moral fiber is slowly stripped away, the men struggle not to lose their humanity as the inevitable chaos of paranoia and greed engulf their lives. Often wickedly funny and always riveting, this Treasure of the Sierre Madre for the '90s features an excellent ensemble, none more effective than Thornton. As the dimmer sibling, he brings unexpected complexity and compassion to Jacob.