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	Vol.7, No 8, September 13, 1999
	Surprise band delights By Kristopher Hanson Daily Forty-Niner What would you do if the "perfect plan" went wrong? That is the premise of the comic thriller "Best Laid Plans," where nothing is entirely as it seems.  The film is a glimpse into the lives of Nick (Allesandro Nivola), Lissa (Reese Witherspoon) and Bryce (Josh Brolin) who become involved in a web of deceit and immoral behavior that has life-altering consequences.  The film, which tries to play off as a dark comedy -- thriller, doesnít succeed.  The sequencing is confusing, characters are unoriginal and the acting is weak. The film does, however, raise serious questions regarding the limits of oneís morality.  The story begins when Nick learns he won't be receiving a large inheritance of money -- which he had been counting on to escape his dead-end job -- and he must make a decision that will adversely affect the rest of his, Lissa's and Bryce's lives.  This film is somewhat confusing in the way itís structured.  The film starts with a scene in the future, after the perfect plan climaxes. It then takes us back several months to see how the situation began. The scenes jump around without much transition, but eventually become clear.  The characters arenít original, but the actors do their best to salvage the weak script and limitations placed on them.  Nivola, who plays Nick, gives a strong performance despite the one-dimensional characterization of a recent college graduate who has taken a low-paying position at the local dump. Witherspoon, as the vulnerable high-school dropout who wants to be an actress, is effective in her role. The generally good-natured Lissa desperately wants to help her boyfriend Nick out of his jam, even if it means becoming a thief -- or worse. Bryce plays the comical role of a self-centered wannabe teacher who arrives in town unexpectedly. Nick uses their reunion to set things right, but everything then goes drastically wrong. Ultimately, however, "Best Laid Plans" is an average film despite its originality and intriguing plot twists.		Arrest warrant out for professor Prominent teacher return Big concert, food chains proposed Race sparks policy System may track student success U.S. -World police Binge drinking still on campus; won't change A night in the life of a CSULB student bartenders Surprise band delights Movie does not have 'Best Laid Plans' OtherStarPeople put together solid first effort Soccer short again Water polo team almost pulls shocker against USC 49ers closer to win record Davis has come long way in NFL Fall 99 ISSUES DAILY 49ER HOMEPAGE
Forty-Niner Publications, Department of Journalism, California State University, Long Beach ©1999 All rights reserved.