I love it when a plan comes together
April 15, 2011 5:27 PM Subscribe
Tell me your favorite movies about the successful execution of a plan.
I was thinking of the kinds of movies I tend to really enjoy: heist movies, prison escape movies, revenge movies, and movies about long cons. And I realized that they're all variations on the same theme: the ability of a person or group to execute a plan they've committed themselves to.
I want to watch more of these types of movies. I find them inspiring, even when they're kind of ridiculous.
So I'd like your suggestions of some of your favorite movies in these categories or in different genres where a person or people devote themselves to a plan which they then follow to achieve some goal.
- The more complicated and clever the plan is, the better.
- The more easily quantifiable the objective, the better. ("Let's steal the diamonds" is better than "Let's improve the school system."
- A training montage is usually a good sign.
I was thinking of the kinds of movies I tend to really enjoy: heist movies, prison escape movies, revenge movies, and movies about long cons. And I realized that they're all variations on the same theme: the ability of a person or group to execute a plan they've committed themselves to.
I want to watch more of these types of movies. I find them inspiring, even when they're kind of ridiculous.
So I'd like your suggestions of some of your favorite movies in these categories or in different genres where a person or people devote themselves to a plan which they then follow to achieve some goal.
- The more complicated and clever the plan is, the better.
- The more easily quantifiable the objective, the better. ("Let's steal the diamonds" is better than "Let's improve the school system."
- A training montage is usually a good sign.
The Inside Man: http://m.imdb.com/title/tt0454848/
posted by dfriedman at 5:29 PM on April 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by dfriedman at 5:29 PM on April 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
Man on a Wire!!! (x 1000)! Woot.
posted by FauxScot at 5:34 PM on April 15, 2011 [8 favorites]
posted by FauxScot at 5:34 PM on April 15, 2011 [8 favorites]
Italian Job
Hudson Hawk
Mission Impossible (and the sequels)
Oceans Eleven (not the sequels)
Swordfish (kinda)
Payback (in a sweet, but non-traditional, way)
Matchstick men (totally cool long con movie)
Shooting Fish (also a very cool long con)
posted by milqman at 5:34 PM on April 15, 2011
Hudson Hawk
Mission Impossible (and the sequels)
Oceans Eleven (not the sequels)
Swordfish (kinda)
Payback (in a sweet, but non-traditional, way)
Matchstick men (totally cool long con movie)
Shooting Fish (also a very cool long con)
posted by milqman at 5:34 PM on April 15, 2011
The Silence of the Lambs.
posted by tel3path at 5:37 PM on April 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by tel3path at 5:37 PM on April 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
The Count of Monte Cristo.
posted by Sticherbeast at 5:42 PM on April 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Sticherbeast at 5:42 PM on April 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
Gambit, Topkapi
posted by TWinbrook8 at 5:43 PM on April 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by TWinbrook8 at 5:43 PM on April 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
Whoa, how could I have forgotten The Great Escape?!
posted by deadmessenger at 5:44 PM on April 15, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by deadmessenger at 5:44 PM on April 15, 2011 [3 favorites]
The Usual Suspects? Kind of backward though.
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 5:50 PM on April 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 5:50 PM on April 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
Sneakers.
posted by mhoye at 5:50 PM on April 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by mhoye at 5:50 PM on April 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
Rififi
posted by sestaaak at 5:52 PM on April 15, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by sestaaak at 5:52 PM on April 15, 2011 [4 favorites]
Mamet's Heist, House of Games, and The Spanish Prisoner. In some ways they're more about the people being conned, but there's plenty of scheming, plots clicking into place, and really satisfying climaxes where everything becomes clear(ish).
posted by bcwinters at 5:54 PM on April 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by bcwinters at 5:54 PM on April 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
The Hot Rock
posted by DMelanogaster at 5:56 PM on April 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by DMelanogaster at 5:56 PM on April 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
posted by SuperSquirrel at 5:56 PM on April 15, 2011
posted by SuperSquirrel at 5:56 PM on April 15, 2011
Death Becomes Her is a funny sideways example of a very good plan taking a weird left turn.
posted by Sticherbeast at 6:00 PM on April 15, 2011
posted by Sticherbeast at 6:00 PM on April 15, 2011
...and Home Alone.
posted by Sys Rq at 6:06 PM on April 15, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by Sys Rq at 6:06 PM on April 15, 2011 [4 favorites]
Oh, and I seem to recommend it in every movie thread, but Le trou is the best prison break film ever.
posted by Sys Rq at 6:07 PM on April 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Sys Rq at 6:07 PM on April 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
Fantastic Mr. Fox.
posted by nicwolff at 6:09 PM on April 15, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by nicwolff at 6:09 PM on April 15, 2011 [4 favorites]
Though not a film, I assume you have seen the four-season series "Prison Break" on Netflix? Outstanding!!! If you haven't seen it, you must. Better than any movie.
posted by zagyzebra at 6:11 PM on April 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by zagyzebra at 6:11 PM on April 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'm not sure it's exactly what you're looking for but this is a great movie with an intricate plot and a great payoff - Lone Star. It also has Chris Cooper...my hero.
posted by victoriab at 6:13 PM on April 15, 2011
posted by victoriab at 6:13 PM on April 15, 2011
Nine Queens! Word is it's even more awesome if you understand Argentinian Spanish (which I don't, very very sadly)!
Read My Lips is pretty damn great, one of my favorites of this genre.
The Lookout isn't bad; Joseph Gordon-Levitt makes it better.
And in a way, I think Memento fits this bill. Everyone and their dog has seen this movie though, so chances are you've seen this too. (But if not, get it now!)
posted by phonebia at 6:14 PM on April 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
Read My Lips is pretty damn great, one of my favorites of this genre.
The Lookout isn't bad; Joseph Gordon-Levitt makes it better.
And in a way, I think Memento fits this bill. Everyone and their dog has seen this movie though, so chances are you've seen this too. (But if not, get it now!)
posted by phonebia at 6:14 PM on April 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
posted by talkingmuffin at 6:21 PM on April 15, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by talkingmuffin at 6:21 PM on April 15, 2011 [3 favorites]
Diggstown!
We show it to everybody, and afterwards they always want to know why they'd never heard of it before.
Also, I liked the 1960 Ocean's 11.
posted by galadriel at 6:26 PM on April 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
We show it to everybody, and afterwards they always want to know why they'd never heard of it before.
Also, I liked the 1960 Ocean's 11.
posted by galadriel at 6:26 PM on April 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
I cant believe I'm #36 in and and the first to say the Shawshank Redemption.
posted by sandra_s at 6:40 PM on April 15, 2011 [7 favorites]
posted by sandra_s at 6:40 PM on April 15, 2011 [7 favorites]
House of Games
posted by It's Never Lurgi at 6:40 PM on April 15, 2011
posted by It's Never Lurgi at 6:40 PM on April 15, 2011
The Dirty Dozen (Intro)
A glance at the cast should be enough to sell this.
posted by spasm at 6:47 PM on April 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
A glance at the cast should be enough to sell this.
posted by spasm at 6:47 PM on April 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
Serenity
Sneakers
Pirates of the Caribbean
And, I quite liked The A-Team, though I know that's a minority opinion.
posted by SMPA at 6:48 PM on April 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
Sneakers
Pirates of the Caribbean
And, I quite liked The A-Team, though I know that's a minority opinion.
posted by SMPA at 6:48 PM on April 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
Amelie
posted by kavasa at 6:48 PM on April 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by kavasa at 6:48 PM on April 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
Bottle Rocket, though it's not an entirely successful execution of the plan, it's definitely all about making the plan. Other Wes Anderson movies (such as Mr Fox mentioned above) also have 'the plan' as a significant part of the plot.
posted by pappy at 7:10 PM on April 15, 2011
posted by pappy at 7:10 PM on April 15, 2011
The Cove, though often praised for all its other traits, is a great heist film.
posted by anildash at 7:21 PM on April 15, 2011
posted by anildash at 7:21 PM on April 15, 2011
The Count of Monte Cristo seconded. (The one with Jim Caveziel and Guy Pearce)
Sanjuro
Yojimbo
Seven Samurai
Danny Deckchair
Groundhog Day
posted by L'oeuvre Child at 7:30 PM on April 15, 2011
Sanjuro
Yojimbo
Seven Samurai
Danny Deckchair
Groundhog Day
posted by L'oeuvre Child at 7:30 PM on April 15, 2011
Toy Story 3.
posted by peep at 8:35 PM on April 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by peep at 8:35 PM on April 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
Nthing:
House of Games
Lucky Number Slevin
Sneakers
The Brothers Bloom
Hopscotch
The Italian Job (Caine, not Marky Mark)
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Caine again, he's in The Spanish Prisoner too, right? No, wait, that's Martin.)
The Taking of Pellham One Two Three (Matthau again.)
Suggesting:
Adaptation
Bandits
Kind Hearts & Coronets
Under Siege
V for Vendetta
Zach & Miri Make a Porno
and a genre,
Kung-Fu movies - A really silly example that totally fits the 'clever plan' trope is Karate Kid (I know, I know). The whole 'wax on, wax off; aaaahhhhp, down, aaaahhhhp, down' bit, and the 'training sequence' in general, fits the idea of people dedicating themselves to the successfull execution of a cleverly designed plan (defeating the opponent). Drunken Master springs to mind as another good example, but really it's there in any good master/apprentice Kung-Fu flick.
posted by carsonb at 8:46 PM on April 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
House of Games
Lucky Number Slevin
Sneakers
The Brothers Bloom
Hopscotch
The Italian Job (Caine, not Marky Mark)
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Caine again, he's in The Spanish Prisoner too, right? No, wait, that's Martin.)
The Taking of Pellham One Two Three (Matthau again.)
Suggesting:
Adaptation
Bandits
Kind Hearts & Coronets
Under Siege
V for Vendetta
Zach & Miri Make a Porno
and a genre,
Kung-Fu movies - A really silly example that totally fits the 'clever plan' trope is Karate Kid (I know, I know). The whole 'wax on, wax off; aaaahhhhp, down, aaaahhhhp, down' bit, and the 'training sequence' in general, fits the idea of people dedicating themselves to the successfull execution of a cleverly designed plan (defeating the opponent). Drunken Master springs to mind as another good example, but really it's there in any good master/apprentice Kung-Fu flick.
posted by carsonb at 8:46 PM on April 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
I love these movies too! The Thomas Crown Affair is my go-to for fun, well executed heist films. The 1968 original is excellent too if you've already seen the Pierce Brosnan version.
posted by Atalanta at 8:52 PM on April 15, 2011
posted by Atalanta at 8:52 PM on April 15, 2011
In addition to the above, I'd recommend Proof of Life with Russell Crowe and Meg Ryan, because it's the movie that got me thinking about this same question years ago when I first saw it.
I wish there was a shortcut for describing this genre - best I can do is "love it when a plan comes together and is well executed" movies. For me, the "well executed" part is important, and there is usually twist that makes you think that the plan is screwed, but then SURPRISE - the mastermind is a step ahead of you. See also Oceans 11; A-Team; The Thomas Crowne Affair (both versions).
posted by Dr. Zira at 8:53 PM on April 15, 2011
I wish there was a shortcut for describing this genre - best I can do is "love it when a plan comes together and is well executed" movies. For me, the "well executed" part is important, and there is usually twist that makes you think that the plan is screwed, but then SURPRISE - the mastermind is a step ahead of you. See also Oceans 11; A-Team; The Thomas Crowne Affair (both versions).
posted by Dr. Zira at 8:53 PM on April 15, 2011
Oh, forgot to mention, the recent Red with Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, Malkovich, et al.
posted by Dr. Zira at 9:01 PM on April 15, 2011
posted by Dr. Zira at 9:01 PM on April 15, 2011
Carlito's Way
(loosely interpreting "successful execution", but fascinating).
posted by ovvl at 10:04 PM on April 15, 2011
(loosely interpreting "successful execution", but fascinating).
posted by ovvl at 10:04 PM on April 15, 2011
I heartily agree with the Mamet movies and the Oceans 11 suggestions.
I will add the TV show Hustle if you can get it. A really fun British show about a team that does long cons, so each episode is a carefully plotted plan that either comes together or....will it?!
posted by grapesaresour at 10:06 PM on April 15, 2011
I will add the TV show Hustle if you can get it. A really fun British show about a team that does long cons, so each episode is a carefully plotted plan that either comes together or....will it?!
posted by grapesaresour at 10:06 PM on April 15, 2011
The Twilight Samurai, in which a reluctant samurai is forced into one last conflict against his will. His plan may seem last-minute, but the reality is he's been training for this his entire life.
posted by Soliloquy at 10:34 PM on April 15, 2011
posted by Soliloquy at 10:34 PM on April 15, 2011
I will second The Thomas Crown Affair
posted by northxnorthwest at 5:45 AM on April 16, 2011
posted by northxnorthwest at 5:45 AM on April 16, 2011
Many of my favorites have already been mentioned. I'll add Stark Raving Mad to the list.
posted by gakiko at 8:34 AM on April 16, 2011
posted by gakiko at 8:34 AM on April 16, 2011
I was trying to think of which TVTropes would best fit. I'm thinking The Caper, Double Caper, The Con, and Eigen Plot (to a lesser extent.) Gonna Fly Now Montage also has some decent suggestions: it led me to Predator, which actually fits in a way (a lot of horror action films do: a preparation montage, the plan looks to be in jeopardy, all is redeemed... or not... in the end.)
posted by SMPA at 9:26 AM on April 16, 2011
posted by SMPA at 9:26 AM on April 16, 2011
Escape from Alcatraz
posted by freshwater at 9:26 AM on April 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by freshwater at 9:26 AM on April 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
If you're up for inept plans: The Maiden Heist. Christopher Walken, Morgan Freeman, William H. Macy. You can't go wrong.
posted by cmyk at 9:33 AM on April 16, 2011
posted by cmyk at 9:33 AM on April 16, 2011
Ne le dis à personne (Tell No One) is a brilliant recent French noir where the protagonist is smacked around by three different parties each with their own complex and competing plans. Plus the police trying to make sense of it all and blaming the guy, of course!
Law Abiding Citizen is definitely on the ridiculous side as revenge plans go, but it's still entertaining.
The Town, while more of a great character study crime drama, has a great heist plan as the excuse making everything in the script progress to the bitter end.
posted by Iosephus at 11:43 AM on April 16, 2011
Law Abiding Citizen is definitely on the ridiculous side as revenge plans go, but it's still entertaining.
The Town, while more of a great character study crime drama, has a great heist plan as the excuse making everything in the script progress to the bitter end.
posted by Iosephus at 11:43 AM on April 16, 2011
Also, shame on me for forgetting the excellent Duplicity, corporate espionage plans all around.
posted by Iosephus at 11:47 AM on April 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Iosephus at 11:47 AM on April 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
The Sandlot
The Perfect Score
Bad Santa
Half Baked
Go
The Matrix
almost all sports movies, from Remember the Titans to Dodgeball
Wet Hot American Summer (mainly the David Hyde Peirce scenes)
American Pie
House Arrest
To the person who was shocked no one had mentioned Shawshank - I have a feeling people felt that movie to be so integral to the genre and probably the question itself that they thought it redundant to mention. That's what happened with me, anyway.
posted by jitterbug perfume at 3:04 PM on April 16, 2011
The Perfect Score
Bad Santa
Half Baked
Go
The Matrix
almost all sports movies, from Remember the Titans to Dodgeball
Wet Hot American Summer (mainly the David Hyde Peirce scenes)
American Pie
House Arrest
To the person who was shocked no one had mentioned Shawshank - I have a feeling people felt that movie to be so integral to the genre and probably the question itself that they thought it redundant to mention. That's what happened with me, anyway.
posted by jitterbug perfume at 3:04 PM on April 16, 2011
One more: Bresson's A Man Escaped. It is, err, methodically paced, but totally engrossing.
posted by phonebia at 7:37 PM on April 16, 2011
posted by phonebia at 7:37 PM on April 16, 2011
Some specific Coen brothers suggestions: Blood Simple & Miller's Crossing. But Sys Rq is right - pretty much all of their movies ought to appeal to you.
An unorthodox choice might be the Straight Story. And specifically seconding galadriel about the largely unknown Diggstown.
Seconding/nthing in the more "serious" category:
Inside Man
House of Games
Spanish Prisoner
Heist
And seconding in the more "fun" category:
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Ocean's 11 (Clooney version)
Sneakers
Seconding a couple of "not precisely what you've specified, but I think you may like" choices:
Lone Star (for the reasons victoriab suggests)
Carlito's Way
And when you've exhausted all the movies where the plan comes together, try A Simple Plan.
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 10:56 PM on April 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
An unorthodox choice might be the Straight Story. And specifically seconding galadriel about the largely unknown Diggstown.
Seconding/nthing in the more "serious" category:
Inside Man
House of Games
Spanish Prisoner
Heist
And seconding in the more "fun" category:
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Ocean's 11 (Clooney version)
Sneakers
Seconding a couple of "not precisely what you've specified, but I think you may like" choices:
Lone Star (for the reasons victoriab suggests)
Carlito's Way
And when you've exhausted all the movies where the plan comes together, try A Simple Plan.
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 10:56 PM on April 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
And when you've exhausted all the movies where the plan comes together, try
the classic Bob le flambeur.
posted by meijusa at 3:16 AM on April 17, 2011
the classic Bob le flambeur.
posted by meijusa at 3:16 AM on April 17, 2011
Office Space (sort of?)
posted by getawaysticks at 10:37 AM on April 20, 2011
posted by getawaysticks at 10:37 AM on April 20, 2011
Response by poster: It's been a while, but I wanted to thank everyone for the great responses.
And I just came back from seeing Fast Five.
ooohhhh it's so good. And a great example of this type of movie.
posted by twinight at 6:58 PM on April 29, 2011
And I just came back from seeing Fast Five.
ooohhhh it's so good. And a great example of this type of movie.
posted by twinight at 6:58 PM on April 29, 2011
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