Daily Almanac for
Nov 12, 2009
Search White Pages
Search: Infoplease Info search tips
Search: Biographies Bio search tips

Best Laid Plans

Director:Mike Barker
Writer:Ted Griffin
Fox Searchlight Pictures; R; 90 minutes
Release:9/99
Cast:Alessandro Nivola, Reese Witherspoon, Josh Brolin

Best Laid Plans is late-1990s noir where plot turns and cinematographic flair take precedence over depth, but, like a rollercoaster, the twists and sudden drops are what it's all about. Old buddies Nick and Bryce (Alessandro Nivola and Josh Brolin) meet up or a drink, and Bryce heads off for a tryst with a tempting nymphet (Reese Witherspoon). Hours later he's calling Nick in a panic, with the girl handcuffed and gagged, and this three-person suspense film takes off.

The acting is good, with Alessandro Nivola (Nicholas Cage's brother in Face/Off) incorporating an intelligent untrustworthiness into his role. Reese Witherspoon shows versatility in this departure from her typical characters. Best Laid Plans lacks depth, and thus comes off as somewhat slight, but should not disappoint those intrigued by plots that snake around prevarication, blackmail, conspiracy, sex, and murder.


Information Please® Database, © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

    • Cite
    • Print
    • Bookmark

More on Best Laid Plans from Infoplease:

  • Along Came Polly - Starring Ben Stiller, Jennifer Aniston, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Debra Messing, Hank Azaria
  • Amy Lowell: Part First - Frau Concert-Meister Altgelt shut the door. A storm was rising, heavy gusts of wind Swirled through the trees, and scattered leaves before Her on the