One False Move was an early success for Billy Bob Thornton, despite the fact that the movie was never expected to reach a wide audience. Before starring in the hit show Landman, Thornton was trying to make his way in Hollywood as an actor, occasionally writing material that he would appear in, including his breakout movie Sling Blade.
Before finding Oscar success with Sling Blade, Thornton co-wrote and acted in the underrated 1990s thriller One False Move. While not a major hit, the movie has since become a cult classic of the ’90s and remains one of Thornton’s best movies. However, it’s likely no one would be talking about it if its original release plan had gone through.
One False Move Was Supposed To Go Straight-To-Video
With a small budget of $2.5 million, One False Move was never meant to make it to theaters and was made as a straight-to-video crime thriller in 1992. Once False Move stars Bill Paxton as an eccentric small-town sheriff whose world is livened up with the appearance of two LAPD detectives hunting a trio of criminals in the area.
The movie was directed by Carl Franklin and co-written by Tom Epperson and Billy Bob Thornton, who also co-starred in the movie as one of the criminals, Ray Malcolm. As the movie is a grim crime story that also features a dark sense of humor with Paxton’s colorful character, it was a hard sell to get studios behind it.
Eventually, the movie was produced on a small budget, with plans to make it available for home viewing only. However, before the movie was released on video, it received a rave review from renowned critic Roger Ebert, convincing the studio to release the movie theatrically (via The Criterion Collection).
In the end, the movie failed to make back its budget at the box office, but it was praised by critics, earning 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. The increased visibility of the movie helped its reputation grow over time, still being regarded as one of the great thrillers of the 1990s.
Why One False Movie Is Still One Of The ’90s’ Best Crime Thrillers
The 1990s were a terrific decade for thrillers, which saw the genre embracing truly dark and profound stories while also giving voice to unique filmmakers who put their stamp on the genre. Directors like Quentin Tarantino and David Fincher made a name for themselves in crime thrillers in this decade, with the likes of Reservoir Dogs and Se7en.
One False Move established itself right alongside those other great тιтles with its original and bold take on the genre. Much like the Coen Brothers’ Fargo, One False Move shows its confidence with its willingness to play so loosely with tones. It can go from dark and brutal to silly and fun in moments, without feeling too jarring.
The movie cements how far it will go with its opening scene, in which the criminals brutally murder a group of people for money and drugs. Following their criminal exploits as they go on the run is a tense and violent experience. However, we’re introduced to Dale “Hurricane” Dixon (Bill Paxton), bringing in an unexpected lightness.
Dale is a larger-than-life lawman, fond of his position in the small town but also wanting to prove himself to the big city cops who arrive. Paxton gives his best performance, which is funny and lively. However, as secrets of Dale’s life are revealed, there is also an intensity to the performance that works just as well.
The brilliance of the two different tones in the movie is how they are put on a collision course. There is the grim crime story that starts the movie, and the more entertaining small-town cop story that comes in later. Eventually, these two worlds are going to meet, and the thriller suddenly blends with the more intimate small-town setting.
It is a testament to the confidence of Carl Franklin’s direction and the script by Billy Bob Thornton and Tom Epperson that the movie pulls off its tonal shifts. Few movies could pull it off if they were even so bold as to try.
