The Best Laid Plans Review

The Best Laid Plans is a 2019 feature film written and directed by Michael LiCastri.

A story that follows a solid formula, The Best Laid Plans features comedy akin to classic Kevin Smith films, but some stiff acting holds it back from reaching a higher caliber.

For anyone who has ever sat down to view Clerks or Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, you know exactly what you are going to get from a film like The Best Laid Plans. The major difference being here is that in some ways the comedy just feels outdated while also holding onto scenes for too long.

There is an easy nostalgia to carry for the Smith style “stoner,” films of the 90s but when you truly sit down to those movies with no kind of rose-tinted glasses, even what a good deal of people may don as classics of the era feel out of place in the modern world.

Not that what LiCastri is bringing to the table is all bad by any means. There are some good bits, in particular a moment, where there is a question of whether ordering a glass of water at a restaurant constitutes loitering. Most of the situations and jokes you’ve seen in different forms before though, leaving a lot of hollow pieces.

The story, while a little formulaic, has some good twists, such as the desire to be a pimp as a quick cash grab. It also follows a three-act structure to a good degree. The characters by the end have an answer to their money issues, and growth.

The kidnapping premise while providing a good hook for the film does not add up to too much, though. There is too heavy a reliance spent in this part of the film with no charm added to mix up the times each individual spends watching over their victim. Things such as changes to the score or completely changing the lighting styles to reflect how each person acted (a la using noir style high contrast lighting to provide a scare Tommy scene, only for him to not flinch at all as a quick example). These moments are here a bit, but just needed to be dialed up more.

Outside of the story and writing the visuals on display are solid with good fidelity throughout. Again, though, there are just not a lot of variety of differing angles, leading to many wide or medium framings of all the characters. Of course, this comes with the territory, with any story revolving around a cast of three friends, but more close ups would have been helpful.

There is definitely charm and chemistry especially amongst the three leads but a lack of variety and stronger delivery holds this film back. Ultimately, it is a good watch for those who love classic Kevin Smith comedies, but not too much beyond that.

For more: YouTube and Comedy Album.

To view on demand: Amazon and Distro TV.

Cheers!

Daniel Hess

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