Best Laid Plans (1999)

43% of critics liked it
(21 reviews)
41% of users liked it
(6,315 ratings)

Absolutely nobody is who he or she seems in this stylish thriller about a guy who wants to get out of his fly-speck hometown, the girlfriend who wants to help him, and the successful friend who just might make it possible. When Bryce (Josh Brolin) returns to his tiny hometown of Tropico, NV, he… More Absolutely nobody is who he or she seems in this stylish thriller about a guy who wants to get out of his fly-speck hometown, the girlfriend who wants to help him, and the successful friend who just might make it possible. When Bryce (Josh Brolin) returns to his tiny hometown of Tropico, NV, he finds pal Nick (Alessandro Nivola) still living there unhappily. One night the pair meets a beautiful blonde at the bar and eventually Bryce takes her back to the house where he's staying. When the girl, Lissa (Reese Witherspoon), reveals that she's under age and threatens to turn Bryce in for statutory rape, he panics, ties her up in the basement, and puts in an anguished call to Nick. Little does Bryce realize, however, that Lissa is actually Nick's very grown-up girlfriend, and that the two lovers have decided Bryce and the ritzy house where he's staying will play a major role in their bid to leave behind dead-end Tropico forever. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: Mike Barker
Written By: Theodore Griffin, Ted Griffin
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

In Theaters: Sep 10, 1999 Limited
On DVD: Feb 22, 2000
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox

Critic Reviews

David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...an above-average neo-noir...
Oz, Hollywood Bitchslap
A surprisingly underrated little thriller which should have helped Nivola earn his Hollywood stripes.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
Instead of our being genuinely surprised by turns of events, we're busy anticipating them.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
One twist too many. Or one too few.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

I?m surprised this film didn?t do better. It?s quite a good thriller, very unpredictable with a ?you?ll either love it, or you?ll hate it? ending. I loved it!
Stuart B

Good thriller with a lot of twists. Well acted and thouroughly enjoyable.
Leigh R

Very well made film.
Luke B

A decent enough thriller. The three leads put in great performances, but it never really takes off or comes to anything more than mildly entertaining. Was really just shoved in with a lot of other disstorted narrative pictures, and really that's all it has going for it.
Ashley S

a half decent attempt at a film, was a bit disinterested if i am honest a 6/10.
Jeffrey M

A poor man's The Usual Suspects done with great effect
Christopher H

Quite possibly one of the most ridiculous plots ever! Besides the young and in-her-prime Reese Witherspoon and the extraordinary Alessandro Nivola, this film is lackluster and not worth the ending.
Lea L

good movie.. lots of twist..
FanGirl B

Kind of a slimy movie

Read all 9 featured audience ratings

Cast

Reese Witherspoon
as Lissa
Kate Hendrickson
as Bar Waitress
Josh Brolin
as Bryce

See full cast

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