We have all heard the saying, "honesty is the best policy." Nothing drives it home quite like watching Hank Mitchell try to squirm his way out of the ever-deepening pit of despair his actions have gotten him into.
Hank (Bill Paxton), his dullard brother Jacob (Billy Bob Thornton), and Jacob's friend Lou (Brent Briscoe) accidentally stumble across an opportunity to do right - and a temptation to do wrong. Finding a wrecked plane in a deserted location, they must decide what to do with the $4.4 million in unmarked hundreds they find aboard. Although the intelligent Hank counsels for taking the money to the police, his two slower partners want to take the money and run. Hank yields on two provisions: 1) he holds the money until they can determine that there is nobody looking for it, and 2) when they split the money they must also split the town.
Hank's situation draws advice from his pregnant wife, Sarah (Bridget Fonda), whose every recommendation leads him into deeper desperation. Jacob's slow wit and open mouth continue to create new problems, and the drunken, bullying Lou proves ruthless about keeping to the plan. At every turn in the plot, poor Hank must make another fatal error to cover up the last one.
The desperation that the simple plan throws into the lives of Jacob and Hank soon make them rue the day they ever saw the money.
A compelling story and great performances make for a wonderful, yet painful two hours.
Hank (Bill Paxton), his dullard brother Jacob (Billy Bob Thornton), and Jacob's friend Lou (Brent Briscoe) accidentally stumble across an opportunity to do right - and a temptation to do wrong. Finding a wrecked plane in a deserted location, they must decide what to do with the $4.4 million in unmarked hundreds they find aboard. Although the intelligent Hank counsels for taking the money to the police, his two slower partners want to take the money and run. Hank yields on two provisions: 1) he holds the money until they can determine that there is nobody looking for it, and 2) when they split the money they must also split the town.
Hank's situation draws advice from his pregnant wife, Sarah (Bridget Fonda), whose every recommendation leads him into deeper desperation. Jacob's slow wit and open mouth continue to create new problems, and the drunken, bullying Lou proves ruthless about keeping to the plan. At every turn in the plot, poor Hank must make another fatal error to cover up the last one.
The desperation that the simple plan throws into the lives of Jacob and Hank soon make them rue the day they ever saw the money.
A compelling story and great performances make for a wonderful, yet painful two hours.