HOST INTRO: If crime thrillers teach you anything it’s this: If you find stolen money don’t take it. It only leads to bad things. KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando reviews “A Single Shot,” opening this weekend at Reading Gaslamp. A single shot… CLIP SFX gun shot Changes John Moon’s life forever. His bullet, intended for a deer, brings down a young woman. As John tries to hide the body, he discovers a large stash of money and takes it. He thinks it’ll provide the means of winning his estranged wife and son back. But his second-rate lawyer warns, one mistake could ruin not just John’s life but that of his son. CLIP What’s you say?... There’s the boy to think about, Nolan… He ain’t in this… Course he’s in this, he’s your son. Most problems John aren’t as bad as they seem. The thing is you have to deal with it before people get backed into corners… You got something to say, spit it out… There’s so many overlapping interests in a small town John. “A Single Shot” doesn’t cover new terrain. It takes the found stolen money of “A Simple Plan,” and adds in the claustrophobic atmosphere and harsh violence of “Winter’s Bone.” But “A Single Shot” tackles the familiar with a solid sense of craftsmanship, and with fine acting from Sam Rockwell and William H. Macy. In “A Simple Plan” someone says, “You work for the American Dream--you don't steal it." “A Single Shot” serves up a fatalistic tale about the grim consequences of taking shortcuts. Beth Accomando, KPBS News.
If crime thrillers teach you anything it’s this: If you find stolen money don’t take it. It only leads to bad things. “A Single Shot” (opening September 20 at Reading Gaslamp Theaters) explores what happens when you don't follow this advice.
A single shot changes John Moon’s life forever. His bullet, intended for a deer, brings down a young woman. As John (Sam Rockwell) tries to hide the body, he discovers a large stash of money and takes it. He thinks it’ll provide the means of winning his estranged wife (Kelly Reily) and son back. But his second-rate lawyer (played to uncomfortable perfection by William H. Macy in a deliberately bad wig) warns, one mistake could ruin not just John’s life but that of his son.
Pitt: There’s the boy to think about, Nolan.
Moon: He ain’t in this.
Pitt: Course he’s in this, he’s your son. Most problems John aren’t as bad as they seem. The thing is you have to deal with it before people get backed into corners.
Moon: You got something to say, spit it out.
Pitt: There’s so many overlapping interests in a small town, John.
The acting in "A SIngle Shot" is top notch. In addition to Macy's oily performance, there's Rockwell's serious turn as the struggling Moon, and Jeffrey Wright as his perpetually drunk friend. The actors create a bleak sense of realism as events spiral out of control.
“A Single Shot” doesn’t cover new terrain. It takes the found stolen money of Sam Raimi's “A Simple Plan,” and adds in the claustrophobic atmosphere and harsh violence of “Winter’s Bone.” But “A Single Shot” tackles the familiar with a solid sense of craftsmanship. Director David M. Rosenthal and writer Matthew F. Jones (adapting from his own novel) build a steady sense of tension, punctuated by brief but effective scenes of violence. They also do what so few films manage, deliver a itch perfect ending.
In “A Simple Plan," Bill Paxton's character says, “You work for the American Dream--you don't steal it." “A Single Shot” serves up a fatalistic tale about the grim consequences of taking shortcuts to the American Dream.
Here's the trailer for "A Single Shot."
"A SIngle Shot" is rated for some strong violence, sexual content, nudity, language and brief drug use.
Companion viewing: "A Simple Plan," "Winter's Bone," "The Deer Hunter"
